Community

PC Ted

P.C.TED is just one of many Community Projects undertaken by the Lions Clubs in Norfolk. It just happened this one originated in Dereham.

In 1991 Dereham Lion John Kay obtained the Chief Constable of Norfolk’s approval for two Teddies to be known as P.C.TED to be carried in each police car. They were to be given to young children in distress at accidents and other unfortunate incidents.

To meet this requirement P.C.TED was conceived in HM Prison Wayland under the watchful eye of Lion John Kay, a staff member with a special interest in the prison workshop. He obtained permission from the Prison Governor to allow prisoners to volunteer for a community project involving the production of 300 P.C.TED Teddies using jointed teddies procured by Dereham Lions Club and some scrap denim material.

The project was so successful that additional finance from other Norfolk Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs was sought and a bulk purchase of 1200 jointed Teddies was made and kitted out in denim jackets with the special Norfolk Police/Lions patches.

As time passed the majority of the 1500 P.C.TED Teddies were found new homes and a follow on production was conceived by the Dereham Club. This involved seeking funds once again from Norfolk Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs, many of them made generous donations and 2000 Teddies were purchased along with Norfolk Police/Lions patches and denim material. Unfortunately the services of HM Prison workshops were no longer available so a new production source had to be found. After much searching, the Ladies of the Windmill Quilters Club in Dereham stepped into the breach however, the task proved to be too big for the small Club and Quilters from Fakenham and Norwich were recruited to help. A special re-launch of the Project was arranged at Norfolk Police HQ and about half of the third 2000 production batch have been dressed and the work continues to meet demand from Norfolk Police.

As well as riding in Norfolk police cars it is pleasing to record that P.C.TED gained his air wings having been airborne with the Norfolk Police Helicopter: He even occupied an 'uncontested seat' in the House of Commons having caught the eye of the Home Affairs Minister on a visit to HM Prison Wayland

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