Toybox is excited to announce the arrival (and departure!) of Teddy Gulliver.  Gulliver is a special bear who can be bought on all EasyJet flights.  The best bit of news is that every Gulliver bought between July and September 2009 will benefit street children in Latin America, thanks to Easyjet who are donating 10% of all profits from Gulliver to the work of Toybox with street children in Latin America.

The teddy-bear is named Gulliver because, like the hero of the book ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ by Jonathan Swift, he is a seasoned traveller.  The intrepid little bear has been all round Europe and beyond.  This summer, Toybox and Easyjet have teamed up to give Gulliver the chance to be an ethical bear with a social conscience by helping street children.

“We are really pleased to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause” said Sophia Cooke, an EasyJet representative.

Children find their way onto the streets of Latin America for many reasons: poverty, abuse, family breakdown and violence are common ones.  A street child’s life is very hard.  They have to find money for food in whatever way they can – shining shoes, selling sweets, even getting involved in drugs or prostitution.  Very few of tehm will have a teddy bear, or any toys at all.

As you read throughout this blog and on the website, Toybox is providing practical help, food, shelter, friendship, education and training for street children and children at high risk.  Toybox also provide services to reunite children with family members, loving foster homes and advocacy for street children.

If you are flying by EasyJet this summer, don’t forget to purchase a Gulliver Bear for £10 and help the street children.

Thank you!