Gallagher Bassett’s (GB) Gentle Bear has been working hard to continue comforting children experiencing traumatic situations.

On October 2017, GB team members first met with the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) to hand over bears to give back to the community.

The Gentle Bears are handed out to children impacted by difficult situations, either directly or indirectly.

The teddy bears serves as an emotional aid to distract a child’s attention from the immediate, distressing situation by providing a recognisable, reassuring and safe object to latch on to.

After hearing that the NTPFES completely ran out of Gentle Bears to give to children, GB recently made an additional special delivery of bears to the NTPFES.

John McNamara, GB-Australia CEO, Stacey Williams, Executive Director – Sales and Account Management and Ben Sheat, General Manager – Self Insurance handed over the bears.

They were met with GB Northern Territory team members; John Deane - NT Operations Manager, Sophie Potter, Team Manager - NT Government, and Georgie Burchill - Customer Support Manager.

From NTPFES, there was Patricia King - Chaplain, Michael Murphy - Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Hazel Clements - Acting Director Human Resources, Kendall Fox - Assistant Director Safety, Health and Recovery, and Emma Mairou - Manager Health and Recovery Unit.

Patricia King, NTPFES Chaplain, was grateful for this special delivery,

“We have received fantastic feedback about the Gentle Bear program since its introduction in the Territory. Another NT agency has told us that when they are able to provide a child with one of the teddies, they can instantly see the relief on the child’s face.”

“It’s so pleasing to hear this sort of feedback, it certainly confirms that the program is doing exactly what it is intended to do – help children,” Patricia said.

GB was able to supply a further 150 Bears, with a further request for additional in Alice Springs and also for the Health and Recovery unit team.

John McNamara, GB Australia CEO said,

“We’re so pleased to continue supporting the fantastic work of NTPFES and all the other emergency service providers that have truly embraced the program.”

Gentle Bear has had a busy year, touring the Northern Territory to support the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services, expanding the program into Queensland and even visiting the Jane Goodall Chimp Rehab Centre in South Africa.

Click here to read more about GB’s Gentle Bear and follow Gentle Bear’s adventures on Facebook here.