Theosophical Order of Service (TOS)
(Founded in February 1908)
(A Union of Those who Love in the Service of All that Suffers.
Promoting the Application of Theosophical Principles for a 100 Years.)

Teddies for Tragedies

Teddies for Tragedies
















































Site Donated by:

Click here to see some children with the teddies.

Click here for a printable teddies pattern.


rotating teddies
Could you spend an hour or two knitting a little Teddy?

Doctors who treat children in third world countries are asking for them, as they have found that children who have their own Teddy to cuddle in their cots get better quicker than those who don't have one. Each child keeps their own Teddy and can take it home, so the Doctors need a continual supply. They are very simple and quick to make.
Click here for a printable teddies pattern.
Teddies Make the News!
Jacqueline Wakefield*, daughter of the late Albert Sutcliffe who was the President of Bradford Theosophical Society, knitted 32 teddies over the Christmas Period and was bringing them to our home. We thought that it would be a good opportunity to get some publicity. So we contacted the local newspaper, the Bradford Telegraph & Argus (T&A). They sent a photographer who took photos of the three of us surrounded by the Teddies. The photo with a caption describing Teddies for Tragedies and the TOS was published in the T&A.
The item elicited considerable interest and we were contacted by several
T&A readers asking for knitting patterns and offering to knit the Teddies. As a result we have collected 426 Teddies to date, including 94 Teddies from the kind Ladies of Denholme Rural Crafters and 15 Teddies from the kind ladies of Shipley Hall Royd Fellowship most of which were knitted by an incredible lady of 96 who loves to think that her Teddies have given comfort to some children somewhere!
Mrs Bessy Lay has knitted 60 Teddies!
* Jacqueline has now completed 44 Teddies! (12 June '08)

Denholme Rural Crafters, Bradford with the 94 Teddies they knitted! (22 May '08)
We would like to thank all the wonderful T&A readers who have knitted and continue to knit Teddies for Teddies for Tragedies.


Teddies for Tragedies: Many members of TOS-UK and the TS and their families knit Teddies on a regular basis. At the initiative of TOS-UK Chair, Maureen Atkinson the sixth form girls at Westholme School, Blackburn have been encouraged to knit Teddies. Mrs Pamela Martin Head of her year, as well as her other duties, teaches knitting and encourages the school to work together for the benefit of others. Mrs Grundy who is in her eighties, the mother of one of the staff has knitted over 200 Teddies, each one different. Maureen goes to the school every year to speak to the girls about the TOS and receive the Teddies. The girls are thanked and the school receives a certificate. TOS-UK member, Harvey Tordoff has persuaded his family to knit Teddies. They have knitted hundreds!
To the end of 2007, we have sent over 6,000 Teddies.

What valiant effort, we offer our grateful thanks to all our knitters everywhere.

Cynthia Trasi, Hon. Co-ordinator,
Theosophical Order of Service, 66 Kirkgate, Shipley, West Yorks BD18 3EL
( Click here to see a map.)
Tel: (01274) 598455
Email: atmatrasi@btinternet.com