Ten year old Spencer Codling, from Skelton, North Yorkshire, who is bravely facing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), is the winner of the Cancer Support UK and Warmies® national Create your Dream Bestie competition. Children with cancer were invited to draw and enter a picture of their dream best friend, for the chance to see their creation brought to life as a cuddly toy made by leading sensory soft toy producer Warmies®.
Spencer's charismatic design of a cute teddy with superhero qualities - Bat Cat - emerged as a clear winner through a public vote from a shortlist of six outstanding entries.
"I wanted to create a superhero teddy, which children could cuddle when having treatment to make them feel better," says Spencer, already a keen artist who enjoys drawing.
Cancer Support UK CEO Mark Guymer and Warmies® Managing Director David Tweedale visited Spencer personally at Great Ormond Street Hospital, while he was recovering from treatment, to present him with his well-deserved prize - a magnificent soft toy version of Bat Cat, brought to life by Warmies®, using Spencer's beautifully drawn "Bestie". Spencer also received a framed copy of his winner's certificate together with Warmie's concept artwork for Bat Cat.
The competition was designed to bring hope, encouragement and enjoyable distraction to children facing cancer. The tedium and discomfort they experience while receiving treatment in hospital is immense. Cancer Support UK and Warmies® wanted to give these children a positive activity to focus on, as well as the hope that their imaginary best friend would be chosen and made real.
Only 1,200 Bat Cat toys will be produced by Warmies®, so in order to secure one of these coveted cuddlies, it is essential to pre-order now, for just £24.99, from https://warmies.co.uk/products/warmies®-batcat
All profits from the sale of Bat Cat will be donated by Warmies® to Cancer Support UK.
