Since 2009, Wotnot has proudly been supporting Bear Cottage children’s hospice by donating a percentage of profits from our natural baby range to help this amazing facility.
When families are told that their child's life will be cut short, their everyday existence takes on a monumental change. As they embark on such a terrible journey, there are limited options available to help them get through each day and answer the many questions that arise. Bear Cottage believes that life, however brief, should be enriched, enjoyed and celebrated.
As a respite facility, Bear Cottage is a home away from home, as far removed from a hospital environment as possible. Staff do not wear uniforms, no medical procedures are carried out in the bedrooms, the children's rooms are designed to like a normal bedroom, and they even have a family pet, Beau, an adorable Labrador. Staff and volunteers are always on hand to take care of the cooking and cleaning, allowing families to forget about the stresses of everyday life and to be able to spend quality time together.
Bear Cottage is the only children's hospice in NSW and in the last 12 months has cared for 239 children and families for respite and end of life care.
The facility was established entirely through community support, at a cost of $10 million, and was officially opened on St Patrick's Day, 17 March 2001. This outstanding facility cares for children from across Australia, regardless of where they receive their primary care, although the majority of families that access the service are from NSW. There is no cost to the family for a stay at Bear Cottage and relies on the community to ensure that they are always there for those who need them.
“In addition to the generous monetary contributions made by Wotnot, the donation of the Wotnot wipes for our own internal use at Bear Cottage has been invaluable. They are used throughout the Cottage by our nursing staff, housekeeping staff and Art and Child Life Therapists alike”
(Bronwen Simmons, Community Relations Manager at Bear Cottage)
To find out more, visit http://bearcottage.org.au/