A Leicestershire woman has launched a campaign to get her special ‘Mood Bear’ toys into children’s hospitals this Christmas, in an effort to spread some joy and improve mental health.
Markfield’s Jo Proud, started her ‘Mood Bears’ company back in 2019, after going through a difficult time with her mental health.
Her company was born after she sat down one evening and drew a picture of a yellow bear, with happy faces on its paws.
Jo decided to get the bear made professionally for herself, and when it finally arrived, it made her smile “for the first time in a long time,” she says on her website.
Since their conception, more than 11,000 Mood Bears have been distributed, with the help of sponsorship, to hospitals, care homes and community nursing projects all over the UK.
Now Ms Proud is looking for sponsorship from individuals and local businesses, so that more of the cuddly items can be sent to hospitals such as the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Birmingham Children’s Hospital ahead of the Christmas season.
Each sponsored bear would be given to a child or adult in need before being take home by their new human counterpart.
“We are hoping that despite the economic challenges which people are facing across the country, there will still be individuals who are willing to come forward and show some Christmas spirit towards those most in need during the upcoming festive season,” said Ms Proud.
“Mood Bears are perfect to bring a smile to everyone’s face, however the iconic plush toys are extra especially useful to assist and support adults and children who are struggling with mental health issues,” she went on to explain.
“We know they can have a huge impact on the lives of children and adults who struggle to understand their emotions and it is always emotional to hear from families who are grateful for the impact that Mood Bears have had on the lives on their loved one.”
The eight mood bears are available in an array of different colours, to reflect the spectrum of human emotions from happiness to sadness, through to love to anger.
They have won a range of celebrity fans including singer Peter Andre, who bought a set of the bears for his son Theo back in 2020.
The Mysterious Girl singer took to his Instagram Stories to share a picture of two of the little boy’s cuddly teddy bears – one a deep red and the other a pale blue. “My son is obsessed with these mood bears,” Peter wrote, before stating he “literally has every colour and sleeps with them.”
TOWIE stars Mario Falcone and Ferne McCann are also the proud owners of a selection of Mood Bears.
The popular toys are set to be showcased at a pop-up shop opening at Leicester’s John Lewis & Partners store between November 2– 9.
To find out more, visit: https://www.moodbears.co.uk/
