Catforth Primary School is using 100 teddy bears to help children and staff stay connected throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The wellbeing initiative was suggested by a parent on the Friends of Catforth PTFA, who had seen the idea rolled out successfully at another school.

Early last month, 100 teddies dressed in Catforth Primary t-shirts arrived at the school, thanks to PTFA funding.

Headteacher Mrs Julie Bainbridge said: “Because we couldn’t be together, helping and hugging each other to get through some difficult days of home-school, then our school teddy could give you a hug instead and be your friend until we could all be together again.”

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Children were surprised with the teddies by PTFA members just before the February half-term holiday.

Mrs Bainbridge said: “The response was amazing! 

“We launched an ‘Extreme Teddying’ event to encourage the children to take their teddy out with them on their daily exercise and take photos of what they got up to.

“The children have really had fun with their teddies, including taking them ballooning, abseiling, climbing and den-building.

“We have received so many messages of thanks. It has been such a worthwhile project and hopefully has helped our children and families through a difficult time.”

Proud Preston. This, and many stories like it, show how the people of Preston are making a difference. Our Proud Preston section showcases all the charitable, kind, uplifting and great things about our city and the people who live here. #ProudPreston is alive and well, and there’s much to celebrate and be proud of, despite the challenging times we all face.

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What do you think of the teddy bear idea? Has your child’s school done anything similar? Let us know in the comments.