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Passengers urged to ‘bear’ gifts for children with cancer this Christmas

21 Nov 2016

Christmas holiday-makers and commuters passing through George Best Belfast City Airport are being urged to ‘Buy a Bear’ this festive season for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.

The cuddly Teddy bears are being sold at World Duty Free in the airport for only £5 and visitors to the store are being encouraged to purchase one, which in turn will be donated to a child in Northern Ireland who is living with cancer. So far, hundreds of the bears have been bought at World Duty Free by people heading to and from Belfast in the run-up to Christmas. The bears are all identical and are seasonally dressed in red and white Christmas jumpers.

Speaking of the success of the initiative, Ciara Hamill from World Duty Free said: 

“We wanted to do something nice for the kids at the Children’s Cancer Unit and even though it is only a small gesture, we hope receiving one of our bears will help put a smile on their faces this Christmas. The response has been fantastic already and we are delighted that our customers have got on board with our initiative.”

Jacqueline Wilkinson, from the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, collected the first batch of teddy bears from the airport with Play Specialist Nurse, Naomi Spence. Jacqueline said: 

“The generosity of the public never fails to amaze me and it’s wonderful to see so many people calling into World Duty Free at George Best Belfast City Airport to purchase one of these special bears,” she said.

“Donations to the Children’s Cancer Unit come in a variety of forms and we are very grateful to World Duty Free for organising and facilitating this lovely initiative. For a small donation, you too can help bring a smile to a child living with cancer this Christmas.”

Drivers from local taxi firm Value Cabs also gave up their time to ferry the furry festive toys to the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The bears will then be distributed to children who are currently having treatment in the hospital or who are at home, ahead of Christmas.

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity supports the work of the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and their families, in providing care for children with cancer and blood disorders. The Unit is the only place in NI were children can be treated for their cancer.

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Value Cabs were on hand to deliver the bears to the Hospital

Value Cabs were on hand to deliver the bears to the Hospital