TEDDY bears are a great comfort to small people scared by adult jobs like going to the dentist or a visit to or a stay in hospital.
Which is why the teddies brought around 600 of their little human pals from across Limerick to the sixth annual Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) hosted by medical students from University of Limerick’s Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS).
Primary school students from 12 Limerick schools attended the 2018 event at UL Sport Arena on Wednesday with their teddy bears.
The Teddy Bear Hospital provides children with a chance to interact with medical students in a safe and fun environment, while learning more about medicine.
The aim of the project is to alleviate childhood anxiety surrounding hospitals and doctors. The children rotated through 13 different stations, each showcasing a different aspect of medicine through scenarios, games and learning.
This year, the event was organised by 170 volunteers consisting of first and second year students and tutors from GEMS.
Teddy Bear Hospital is highly involved with the wider Limerick community and is greatly reliant on donations and funds from local sponsors, the medical school and fundraising events.
However, the group is also committed to giving back to the community, and has held several mini-TBH events throughout Limerick.
This year, TBH also raised money in support of Cliona’s Foundation, a Limerick-based charity that provides financial assistance to families of children with a life-limiting condition to help with the hidden non-medical costs of caring for their child over a long period of time. The Foundation has supported 500 families in 29 Counties over the past 11 years.
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