MORE than 5,000 knitted teddies so far have been sent worldwide to help comfort children in crisis - thanks to an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus seven years ago.

Atma and Cynthia Trasi, of the Bradford Theosophical Society, were looking for knitters to help make the nine inch cuddly creations as part of a Teddies for Tragedies initiative and contacted the T&A to spread the word.

The response was overwhelming and more than 50 knitters and groups started their needles clicking and began regularly dropping off the woolly friends at Mr and Mrs Trasi's home in Kirkgate, Shipley.

People from all over the Bradford and others from Skipton to Pudsey and further afield followed the health and safety approved pattern to make the teddies and a steady group of knitters have still kept at it.

"Thanks to all these generous people, we have to date, sent 5,241 teddies abroad to children in hospitals in third world countries.

"We are so grateful thanks to everyone who has helped us and to others who might want to start," said Mr Trasi, 77.

Among the appeal's top star knitters are Bessie Ley, of Great Horton, who has knitted 793 teddies, Ann Hirst, of Bingley area, who has knitted 676 teddies, Brenda Ortori, of Thackley, who has knitted 548 teddies, Joan Milligan, of Shipley, who has made 325 teddies and Margaret Harrison, whose total stands at 314.

Mr and Mrs Trasi have 180 teddies sharing their home waiting to be sent out with aid cargoes to reach poorly youngsters in hospitals from Africa to India to Sri Lanka and Eastern Europe.

Mr Trasi said: "Doctors found that children having their own Teddy to cuddle in their cots get better quicker than those who don't have one.

"Each child keeps the teddy and can take it home, so the doctors need a continual supply. It's not an organisation or a charity. It is an idea for any one to take up."

The teddies are packed in between other goods being sent out by charities on mercy missions so are free to transport.

Since the Theosophical Society's got involved in the Teddies for Tragedies scheme in 2000, more than 15,000 teddies have befriended and helped youngsters in need.

"Out of all of those, this area has supplied more than a third which is a wonderful achievement.

"We'd heard about the scheme and just joined the bandwagon really. We never thought it would still be going after all this time but we're very glad it is," said Mr Trasi.

Anyone interested in knitting teddies for the scheme and wants a pattern should contact Mr and Mrs Trasi on (01274) 598455 or go to tos-uk.org.uk to find out more about Teddies for Tragedies.