Family spreads joy with hidden ‘care bears’

Friday 10 September 2021

Three children have been spreading joy to islanders by stashing handmade bears with heart-warming messages around the island.

Siblings Ashleigh (8) and Dylan and Jessica Eder (both 5) have been showing their care for the community by sharing the 30 ‘care bears’ that their great-grandmother knitted for their advent stockings.

With too many bears to look after, each of which was too cute to get rid of, the trio decided to attach inspirational and caring message to them and hide them on popular walking routes for islanders to find and keep. 

Those messages ranged from ‘you are talented’ and ‘you matter’ to ‘reach for the stars’.

Pictured: Some of the heartwarming messages carried by the smiling knitted care bears.

“We are hoping finding a little teddy fills people with happiness and makes them feel special,” mum Lucy Eder said.

She explained that the family had previously taken part in secret book swaps and painted pebble hunts, and that they also love to look out for special fairy trees, secret gardens and “other lovely things people set up around the island” when they are out walking.

However, she said they had never “done anything like this on our own before.”

Pictured: Spot the care bear!

The Eders all agree that sharing the care bears was a fun experience, and they received really positive feedback when Lucy shared details of the initiative on social media. 

Delighted by the result, Lucy said the family would “certainly consider doing a similar thing” in future.

Eloise Rouault (15) is on Trident Work Experience with Bailiwick Express.