A MUM has started a second teddy bear appeal in time for Christmas in memory of her son.

Last year, 63-year-old Lynda Banks' teddy appeal saw hundreds of furry friends donated to put smiles on the faces of youngsters in need of extra special hugs.

And she is hoping well-wishers will send her even more this time to be handed out to children on hospital wards and through The Children's Society.

Although her son Robert was 30 when he died, he had a mental age of a five-year-old and loved soft toys, especially teddies, and was hardly ever seen without one, said Mrs Banks of LittleHorton Green.

"We were overwhelmed by people's support last year and hope it will happen again. I've already got about 200 which is a good start. Robert's teddies were so special to him, he was so sweet and loved them - I hope the teddies donated to us will give lots of joy and love to the children who get them."

Robert died last November after battling a rare condition that doctors said meant he would not survive into his teenage years – her older son Philip, 37, also has it and struggles with mobility.

Robert's Opitz-Kaveggla Syndrome left him with a limited vocabulary. At first it was thought that only boys with blue eyes and blond hair were affected by it but decades on it is now more widely recognised and it is found to affect girls too.

Doctors in the 1980s had told Mrs Banks her little boys would not live to be teenagers, would never walk, talk or sit up but she refused to give up on them.

Robert, who did go on to walk, died after a seizure at home and the first anniversary of his death has made this year's appeal even more poignant, said Mrs Banks who has also created a memorial garden for him at the rear of her home which lights up at night.

Family in Devon are also collecting bears to be delivered to local hospitals there and Bradford cab business Local Cars has pledged to continue its support.

Last year, fleet owner Khurram Shehzad was so touched by Mrs Banks’ story after it appeared in the Telegraph & Argus that he gave £500 and said his drivers would keep collecting bears for her. Mr Shezad knows the Banks family because they have been customers for more than 20 years.

Teddies, soft toys and rag dolls, new or nearly new and in a good condition, can be donated. To find out how, go to teddies4tickles.wix.com/roberts-teddies.