Trusty the 12-metre Teddy back to full health at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children
The giant teddy bear that has adorned the front of Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children for 28 years has undergone a full refit and refurbishment, thanks to staff in the Trust’s Estates Team and the generosity of a local contractor.
After almost three decades of exposure to the Great British weather, Trusty the Teddy Bear was looking a little worse for wear – his colours were dull and the lights that made him shine no longer worked. This didn’t go unnoticed by Mark Dearlove of MG Electrics during a recent work trip to St Helier Hospital, who offered to fix up the old mascot and work for free to do it.
With the help of the Trust’s Estates Department, the teams worked together to bring down the teddy – which, at 12 metres above the front door of the dedicated children’s hospital, needed particular planning and scaffolding. Trusty was then whipped away to a nearby workshop where his look was completely updated, including new colourful Perspex and modern LED lighting and controls installed.
Dr Ruth Charlton, Joint Medical Director and Consultant Paediatrician, said: “Trusty the Teddy is a well-known sight at St Helier Hospital, and has been the proud emblem of our dedicated children’s hospital for years. It is really great to see him transformed – he is brighter than ever before, and I hope will bring a little happiness to the young patients who need care and treatment with us at Queen Mary’s.”
Mr Dearlove of MG Electrics added: “My children were all born at Epsom and St Helier, and over the years, the hospital have provided vital care to our family. This was just my way of saying thanks for the care we’ve received and the amazing job that the staff do here – I hope the new look teddy helps to brighten people’s days.”
For more information about Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk.
