By Melissa Grant
“You’re amazing. Believe in yourself and never give up.”
It’s a simple, yet important message which Mikayla Wade records on a device she inserts into teddies bound for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
The 12-year-old has made eight bears since coming up with the idea for a Year 6 project at Pakenham Springs Primary School last year.
Mikayla and her classmates were asked to create something small that could make a difference.
“I thought ‘what could I do to help kids?” Mikayla recalled.
“I did a lot of research into anxiety and depression and what could help.”
Her bear caught the eye of Rosemary Teed, who was then a student wellbeing coordinator at Pakenham Springs. She is also the founder of the Magical Getaway Foundation, a national charity dedicated to providing holidays to vulnerable or disadvantaged children and their families to improve their health and wellbeing.
Mikayla, who now attends Kooweerup Secondary College, said her teddy bears, which play the special message when squeezed, offered hope to the children, some of whom were seriously ill.
“If they are really sick as they get older they could start to get depression. If they know they are amazing and not to give up that’s good for them,” she explained.
Five of Mikayla’s bears were recently donated to five siblings as they were taken on their first holiday.
Rosemary said the teddies, which Mikayla designs and sews together, were extremely special to the children.
“They just loved those bears because of the personalised message they have in them,” she said.
“Every child that goes on a holiday from now on is going to get one of those bears.”
Rosemary said the charity provided holidays to families who had never been on one and were willing to tell their story. They are referred by hospitals, schools or agencies like Anglicare, and are vulnerable because of issues such as illness, poverty or domestic violence.
The foundation is extremely grateful for Mikayla’s contribution.
“It’s extra special because it’s a kid who has made another kid something,” Rosemary said.
