Central England Co-operative Funeralcare transported a bandaged-up teddy bear all across the West Midlands area – to raise vital funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Senior Funeral Directors each took it in turns to take the bandaged Memory Bear to different funeral homes to show their support for The Big Bandage, which took place on Friday, July 8.

The charity campaign has raised more than £150,000 since it launched in 2013 and has seen thousands of people – and now teddy bears - bandaged up in aid of the hospital.

All money raised goes towards giving the ‘very best care, best surroundings and best chance of recovery’ to young patients.

The Central England Co-operative Memory Bear, which is a keepsake designed for families who have lost a child, helped raise £292 – all of which will go towards the campaign, which is one of the charity’s largest annual fund-raising events- with more donations still to be counted.

Senior Funeral Director Kiran Bhogal said:

“The team took it in turns to take the bandaged Memory Bear out and about with us as we visited our funeral homes across the area, taking pictures along the way.

“Everyone involved with Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity does an amazing job and Central England Co-operative wanted to show how much the children’s hospital means to the local community by doing our bit to raise funds for this great cause.

“Hopefully the money our staff, members and customers helped raise will play a part in celebrating the wonderful work that the hospital undertakes every day.”

Elinor Eustace, Deputy Director of Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to Central England Co-operative Funeralcare for taking part in The Big Bandage. The team’s support has been phenomenal and it was heart-warming to hear about their lovely Memory Bear fundraising.

“The money they have donated will help to shape the future of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and make a real difference to the treatment, care and support we offer to our brave young patients for generations to come.”

People can still get involved with The Big Bandage by visiting www.bch.org.uk/bigbandage