Origin
The Organisation
Bears of Hope was previously known as Teddy Love Club Incorporated in NSW (we registered as an Incorporated Association in NSW on 22nd May 2006). Although we were an independently registered organisation, we were affiliated with Teddy Love Club until we changed our name in late 2008, and are now operating as different organisations.
Despite the change of name, Bears of Hope is still the same registered incorporation since 2006, and has continued to support bereaved parents in NSW and across Australia.
We have a Charitable Fundraising Authority (CFN20113) which extends to 2013.
Fundraising Authority
Our Name
When you have just experienced the loss of your baby, a very difficult journey begins emotionally & spiritually. It’s a path that only one, who has ever experienced it, will ever truly understand the incredible turmoil of grief. But there is an underlying strength that can never be taken away from you….Hope. Our name was created to capture the spirit of what our program signifies. HOPE that through our bears we can provide comfort to parents during the darkest time of their life; HOPE that through offering ongoing support we can help towards the healing of their hearts. And HOPE for the parents that some day they will bring home a healthy baby safe in their arms.
Our Slogan “Comfort & Healing For Broken Hearts”
The words Comfort and Healing were chosen because these are two important elements we truly wish for bereaved parents on this difficult journey.
Comfort – We want to be able to provide this right from the very start. Working with and through the NSW and ACT health system, allows us to reach out to newly bereaved parents with a bear of hope. We have found that parents are comforted with this beautiful keepsake along with the message behind these bears that they are truly not alone. Where parents are comforted, healing can begin.
Healing – We understand that no-one will ever completely heal from such loss. Our wound goes too deep. But we do know that healing is an ongoing process and requires time. Through our commitment to ongoing support we hope that parent’s broken hearts will begin to heal again and provide parents with the strength for positively identifying with their grief and surviving it.
Our slogan was then used as the basis for our mission statement:
Bears Of Hope offers support and guidance for parents who have experienced the loss of their baby during Pregnancy, Birth or Infancy. Through the donation of a bear of hope, parents are provided with the comfort of knowing they are not alone from the very beginning, and offered significant ongoing support to heal their broken hearts.
Our Logo
In its simplicity, an angel halo used in conjunction with our name, signifies the core focus and values of our support program.
Our Image
The fundamental base for our image was to reflect our name and so two teddy bears hugging and looking forward into the light portrays that feeling of comfort, hope and healing. The two different sized bears also portray our values of supporting families who experience either a miscarriage or later loss.