In 2016/2017, Barnardo’s supported more than 272,000 vulnerable children, young people, parents and carers through more than 1,000 services across the UK.
Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some children, young people and their families for many reasons so Build-A-Bear teamed up with Barnardo’s to bring a little bit of extra festive cheer to youngsters from the charity’s services across the UK.
Groups were invited to a special party at stores in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, which included stores in Cardiff, Bluewater in Kent, Brighton, Leeds and Glasgow, for an evening of Christmas activities.
During the party, the youngsters had the chance to take part in group activities, where they made their very own special furry friend.
They also had the chance to make an extra furry friend, which will be given to another young person or child being supported by Barnardo’s.
Roger Parry, Senior Managing Director for Build-A-Bear Workshop in Europe said: “We are honoured to partner with Barnardo’s and join them in supporting thousands of young carers across the UK. We hope to bring some extra Christmas cheer to the children this year, and make their days a little bit brighter.”
In the lead-up to Christmas, Build-A-Bear Workshop stores across the globe will also hold “Stuffed with Hugs” events from Friday, 1st December to Sunday, 3rd December, where customers can make a bear at no charge to be donated to children and young people being supported by Barnardo’s.
In total, Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate 6,000 bears to Barnardo’s this Christmas.
From now until 10th December, customers will also be able to donate any new, unwrapped toys in-store towards the charity and can make donations at till points from now until 26th December.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan said: “Christmas can often be a difficult time for the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children, young people and families we support.
So it is wonderful that Build-A-Bear Workshop is thinking about these youngsters at this time of year and giving them the opportunity to create some wonderful Christmas memories – as well as build their own bear to take home with them!
We are thrilled to be working with Build-A-Bear Workshop on these special events and are really grateful that they will be raising money towards our vital services this Christmas so we can continue to support children, young people, parents and carers every year.”
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