War Teddies

Stoke-based Mum of Three’s ‘War Teddies’ Poem Translated into Ukrainian and Sent with Teddies to Children in Warzone  

Like many of us, 35 year old mum-of-three, Abigail Horne, from Stoke, didn’t know what to do when the war broke out in Ukraine; she donated money and items, but also decided to put pen to paper… and now her ‘War Teddies’ poem has been translated into Ukrainian and is being sent with teddies to children fleeing the warzone.  

Abigail is a multiple best-selling author and Founder of Authors&Co https://authorsandco.pub/, offering partnership publishing and for Abi, writing is often a go-to route when she is trying to process thoughts and emotions.

  Abigail said; “Every time I was watching the news and seeing a child in Ukraine holding a bear or soft toy, my heart ached knowing which bears my own children would choose, should we ever have to flee our homes. Every little person crossing a border, sleeping in an underground shelter or trying to survive this war, is holding and hugging their special teddies… so, I wrote a poem for them, in the words of their bears.”   

To ensure all children feel loved and have a companion, there has been a flurry of designation ‘bear drop off points’ popping up all across the UK to ensure all children fleeing the warzone get given a teddy or soft toy.  Many people leaving Ukraine had to do so quickly, bringing only what they could carry – this meant children could only maybe take one toy or teddy and others may have had to leave their own teddies behind.   

Spanner Monkeys Garage in Newcastle is a one of many designated ‘bear drop off point’ in the UK and when they saw Abigail’s poem, they decided to attach a version in Ukrainian to every teddy’s arm; on their Facebook page they said; “We need to get the bear distribution stations at the border reception centres fully stocked so that each child passing through, gets a new friend to cuddle. On each teddy bear we will attach a copy of Abigail Horne’s poem ‘War Teddies’ in Ukrainian. Thank you Catherine Heaton for inspiring this project.”  

Abigail said; “When I found out that ‘War Teddies’ had been translated into Ukrainian, and being attached to donated teddy bears so that Ukrainian children can have a best friend by their side, I was overwhelmed with emotion – to know my words may give even a slight bit of comfort to these children and their mothers, is more than my mind can comprehend, but I’m so grateful and hope it helps all feel loved.”  

The first shipment of teddy bears with the poem is due to go to Poland on Saturday 19^th March.   Abigail’s poem has now been shared by thousands on social media platforms, this poem will not hopefully bring comfort to Ukrainian children receiving a teddy bear, but can also be read by parents across the world to their own children, to help them understand and digest what is happening in the world and what they are seeing on the news.

Тедді війни

Абігейл Хорн

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Тому вдягайся тепліше; не будемо зволікати. Я чув, що надворі може бути холодно, Але дуже скоро ми повернемося всередину.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Тож уявімо, що це свято. Спати на твоєму надувному матраці я буду з тобою, твій найкращий друг Тедді.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Я обіцяю, що у нас буде можливість побавитися. Там будуть і інші діти, У них є свої ведмедики, а в мене є ти.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Але як надовго, ніхто не може сказати. Якщо ти почуєш гучні голоси або грихіт, Просто пам’ятай, я тримаю твою руку.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Подорож може бути далекою. Я обіцяю, що ти будеш в безпеці і затишку, Просто стисни мене міцно, якщо тобі треба когось обійняти.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Давай не розлучатися в дорозі. На щастя, ми можемо залишитися з мамою, І зовсім скоро приіде тато.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. І все буде добре. В той день, як ти розгорнув мене, я став твоїм найкращим другом, у добрі і злі.

Ми сьогодні йдемо в пригоду. Треба вже йти; ми не можемо залишатися. І одного дня ти скажеш, що був там, в серці України зі мною, твій ведмедик.