Laurel House provides a safe place for adults and children who have been impacted by sexual assault. The service had been buying furniture at Second Office when the idea came about. 

Second Office said it was really sad to hear children in Launceston were experiencing these issues. 

Laurel House project team leader Becky Hollis was told about the campaign over the phone. 

“It was just really reassuring and reaffirming that our community noticed what we are doing and wanted to help,” she said.  

“It means that we can give the children something to come away with and something that is comforting.”

Ms Hollis said Laurel House sees a lot more children than it would like and the amount of children at the service at any one time was constantly changing. 

“Unfortunately we have a lot more children than we should and a lot of siblings that might have been abused themselves or are affected by family members doing the wrong thing,” she said.  

The organisation’s clinical team leader Sharissa Kucina said being able to give the children a teddy was something they remember. 

“I had a young boy who I saw about five years ago, and he remembers being given a teddy. It was really insignificant for me at the time, but it must of had a huge impression on him,” she said. 

A Second Office staff member was shopping at Launceston’s Pearts Variety Store when the idea went to the next level. 

Business owner and manager Chris Bassett agreed to act as a teddy collection point for the project. 

“It was a bit slow for a start, but then there were a few free ads from the radio station. Once that happened it started to pick up a little bit,” he said. 

“I was quite happy to operate as a drop off point and said I’d also offer a discount to anyone who bought anything in here to donate.”

More than 23 teddies and craft goodies were collected from the variety store by Laurel House staff on Monday.