The Puppet Company has donated its Wilberry Robot soft toys to The Brain Tumour Charity’s Brainy Bags, and has joined forces with marketing agency Buy-From to help raise brain tumour awareness. Both companies are connected by the tragic loss of loved ones due to this devastating disease.
Brainy Bags are free gifts which the charity organises for children and young people aged under 18 who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Each bag contains a range of toys, activities and information – and The Puppet Company is pleased to be able to help make a difference to such a worthy charity that is very close their hearts.
The Puppet Company started from a kitchen table with a beautifully crafted puppet theatre handmade by Peter and Sue Lockey, who had left their teaching roles to create a business with joy and creative play at the heart of it.
Following the tragic loss of Peter to stage 4 glioblastoma in 2021, the business is building on his legacy and continuing his mission to share joy. Twenty-two years since it launched, the firm sells puppets and Wilberry soft toys around the world.
The company is spearheaded by Sue and their children: Sam, Katy, Joe and Hannah. Together with a loyal and talented team in Hertfordshire, they share the power of puppets and champion the importance of learning through play.
July marks two years since Peter’s death and, inspired by him and as part of his legacy to always give back and do good in the world, the family business has joined forces with Buy-From creative agency to use their combined products and services to raise money and awareness for The Brain Tumour Charity.
The Puppet Company product & marketing director Katy Rugman (Peter and Sue’s eldest daughter), was introduced to Buy-From’s founder Louise Welsby via The Giftware Association. Louise’s mum died of the same brain tumour exactly one week before Katy’s father, Peter.
Connected by their tragic loss, the two businesses have formed a close alliance, working together on several projects since meeting in January 2023 and determined to try and give back and help others.
Louise has been raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity through several personal challenges since losing her mum in 2021, but this is the first time her business has collaborated with another to make an even bigger difference to the charity.
She said: “I’m really pleased to have found Katy, Sue, the Lockey family and the whole team behind The Puppet Company. They are an incredible company and fantastic people as well. We share the mission of doing good in the world, motivated to do right by the legacy left by our loved ones, taken too soon by this cruel disease. If we can make a small difference to other families faced with the same diagnosis, then it would be worthwhile.”
Amy Watts, senior children and families & young adults support officer at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Our Brainy Bags bring a bit of fun, comfort and smiles during what is a really difficult time for families. Every bag is full of handpicked gifts, specially chosen for each child by our lovely volunteers, as well as information on all the ways we can support the whole family through their journey, whenever they may need us.”
The Puppet Company and Buy-From have always supported many charities and this marks the start of more charity work, with announcements to follow. The Puppet Company is also pleased to support The Brain Tumour Charity with products to aid fundraising with its Christmas online shop, and is discussing wider ways in which they can work together with the support of Buy-From.
The Brain Tumour Charity is the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity, committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts. It funds pioneering research to increase survival and improve treatment options, as well as raising awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours to bring about earlier diagnosis. It also provides support for everyone affected, so they can live as full a life as possible, with the best quality of life.
To donate to the joint fundraising page CLICK HERE
www.wilberrytoys.comwww.buy-from.com
