It was with great sadness that we heard last week that our dear friend in South Africa, Gavin Schachat has died after a long illness.
We have worked with Gavin since the Teddy Trust began some 13 years ago. In fact, he was the first person to receive the teddy bears I sent in parcels through Judy Westwater, our President, and which he distributed to children in Cape Town who needed the comfort and healing they could bring. Gavin understood the concept from the beginning and, as Chairman of Rotary Sea Point, he was able to make sure that every teddy bear we have subsequently sent has been given to a child in distress. And it numbers well over 80,000 teddy bears!
Elizabeth Danckwerts – Biffy – is to continue Gavin’s work with us for which we are extremely grateful and we send Biffy and all Gavin’s friends and family our thoughts and prayers and heartfelt thanks for all their support over the years through Gavin who I know will be greatly missed and was much loved by everyone including us.
Ellie Somme
