Children undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals across the UK are to be given the chance to unleash their creativity through an exciting new Create Your Dream Bestie competition, announced today by national cancer charity Cancer Support UK and Warmies ®.
Youngsters are invited to submit an original drawing of their favourite imaginary best friend by 31 January 2025 to Cancer Support UK for the chance to see their creation brought to life by leading sensory soft toy producers, Warmies®.
A public vote will decide the winning “Bestie”, which will then be transformed by Warmies® into a special limited edition heatable, sensory cuddly toy, which delivers soothing warmth and fragrant comfort.
Warmies®’ aromatic soft toys and sensory products are already a popular item in Cancer Support UK’s free Cancer Kits. The kits give adults and children with cancer a huge emotional boost, helping them feel supported and less alone.
The winning child will receive the first toy in the limited edition run, while the remaining toys will go on sale to supporters and friends of Cancer Support UK, with 100% of profits from sales going to the charity, to help provide practical and emotional support to people with cancer.
Cancer Support UK CEO, Mark Guymer is excited at this opportunity to brighten the lives of children with cancer:
“We are extremely grateful to Warmies® not only for partnering with us to help make a child’s dream come true, but also for generously offering to donate all profits from the sale of the special limited edition toys to Cancer Support UK. This will enable us to provide vital practical and emotional support to people living with and beyond cancer.
“The festive season is a tough time for anyone undergoing treatment in hospital, let alone if you are a child being treated for cancer. This can mean multiple painful and invasive forms of vital medical intervention. This creative competition aims to provide enjoyable distraction for children from the pain and discomfort of cancer. It will give them a positive activity to focus on, as well as the hope that their imaginary best friend will be chosen and made real.”
Warmies® CEO, David Tweedale, said:
“Our Warmies® soft toys are more than just a stuffed animal; they provide soothing warmth and fragrant comfort whenever needed. They help alleviate stress and anxiety, encourage restful sleep and are thoughtfully weighted to create a calming uplifting sensory experience. The weighted design and natural lavender scent helps to offer stress reduction, improved sleep and relief for anxiety and sensory issues.
“We are very excited to be partnering Cancer Support UK with this creative competition and we invite all parents of children with cancer to encourage their child to draw their imaginary best friend and to enter it in the competition. We are looking forward to bringing one child’s dream to life.”
Entry forms containing full details of the competition are available from oncology units at participating hospitals across the UK or can be downloaded from Create Your Dream Bestie page on the Cancer Support UK website.
A shortlist will be announced on 15 February 2025 and then the public will be invited to vote for their favourite design. Voting will close on 28 February 2025 and the winner will be announced week ending 7 March 2025. The competition is open to children aged 16 years and under.
