HANGING ONTO HOPE...

It's National Mental Health Awareness Week, and young journalist Lee Marie points out why we all need hope... and understanding.

Lee Marie says:
It saddens me that people suffering from mental health problems are sometimes seen as 'selfish,' 'lazy' or in some way responsible for their own breakdown. If someone had a broken leg, you wouldn't say: 'Stop sitting around, get up, start walking, fake it till you make it - you'll be grand!' Yet when someone has a break in their mental health, they are told to pull themselves together, stop being selfish, think of their families. You can't pull out an x-ray and point to exactly where the break is; it's invisible.

It's bad enough that people people suffer such desperate emotional distress, but to experience judgement and lack of understanding from others, for people to doubt that you are ill at all... this must be very lonely and dark. It only further isolates and stigmatises someone who is already struggling.  People can only be helped towards wellness and freedom if we give them hope - and practical solutions.

Mental and emotional distress is often a very secretive, hidden, shameful problem. When people are in a state of despair they cannot see a solution or a way out; they cannot see a day when things might be better. Sometimes, people may not want to die but they just don't know how to live. Instead of judging, let's accept, acknowledge, reach out. Let's offer hope - you never know who might need it.

Hope is always necessary. It's that extra inch of light that falls into the mind. It's a new story unfurling, a new set of possibilities illuminated, a series of arrows on a map that point the way out of darkness. Let's stop judging, fearing, laughing at those who struggle with mental health issues. Let's reach out and show those who feel they have no hope that it is ALWAYS there.

We'll be looking at reader's own struggles over the coming months... let's ditch the stigma on mental health issues and try to help and understand. COMMENT BELOW if you or someone close to you has suffered in this way... plus your suggestions for how to help.

RED VELVET OREO CUPCAKES!

Not an expert in the kitchen? Fear not, you can still whip up some gorgeous cupcakes using this recipe, adapted by reader Deborah from a basic packet cake-mix. No excuses, now - there's even a little video to help you along!

For the cake:
1 pack of Betty Crocker Red Velvet Cake Mix
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4-5 crushed Oreo biscuits
To decorate:
1 tub Betty Crocker Vanilla Buttercream Icing
Little marshmallows
Coloured writing icing pens
Sugar sprinkles
Whole Oreo biscuits

Also: Cupcake cases, piping bag with jagged tip, cupcake/muffin tray.

To make:
1/ Mix up Red Velvet Cake Mix as instructions on pack; add extra sugar and vanilla extract and mix.
2/ Add crushed Oreo biscuits and mix.
3/ Spoon into cupcake cases in a baking tray, filling to just over halfway.
4/ Bake at 180 degrees C until a knife comes out clean; take out of oven and cool on wire rack.
5/ Fill piping bag with buttercream and swirl onto each cupcake; decorate as required - be sure to use the extra Oreos!

Need extra help? Click the link to watch Deborah's VIDEO RECIPE!

Are you a kitchen klutz? Have a go at Deborah's cool and easy recipe... you can't go wrong! COMMENT BELOW to share your kitchen disasters... and triumphs!

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE...

Have you ever dreamt you could be a ballerina, like Summer Tanberry from my book Summer's Dream? Reader Maddy tells us what it's like to be in love with ballet...

Maddy says:
I got into dance because my auntie had her own studio and my mum was one of the ballet teachers. When I was young I was at the studios a lot of the time; I loved to watch the older girls dance classes - they really inspired me. It was great that my mum could teach me, too, as she was always there to help me practice. In 2010 my auntie sold the studio and since then I've danced at two different schools, so i have experienced a whole range of dance styles I guess.

Dance requires a big commitment - I have four classes a week which can be quite tiring. As well as regular classes, we work towards examinations, shows, festivals and competitions thoughout the year which can be exciting and lots of fun! A few weeks ago I finished a performance of Peter Pan with my dance studio which was an amazing experience. I LOVE shows as the costumes and make up are always amazing and I love the thrill of dancing onstage in front of hundreds of people. We take exams every now and then too, which can be nerve wracking but give me a real sense of achievement when I get my results and move up a new grade!

I have always had an ambition to have a future in dance because it is definitely the thing I love best. One day I'd love to have my own dance studio like my auntie did, and teach children the magic of ballet and inspire them to have dreams like I do. I'd love to help budding ballerinas to achieve their goals. I would also love to perhaps travel the world teaching dance and help those not as fortunate as myself to achieve and aspire. Dance has helped me to grow in confidence as a person and whenever I do it, it makes me happy. I am very grateful for receiving the gift of dance - I honestly don't know what I'd do without it!


Do YOU dream of dancing, like Maddy? COMMENT BELOW to tell us what you think... and check out my new e-book mini, HOPES & DREAMS: JODIE'S STORY, set in a dance school... available now from the amazon kindle store!

# BRING BACK OUR GIRLS...

Cathy says:
This is perhaps the most frightening story I've ever posted on DREAMCATCHER, but I know that you, my readers, are strong and brave and caring and will not turn away from this. Please read and take the challenge to reach out to the kidnapped girls... 

In Chibok, a small town in the North-East of Nigeria on 14th April, over 300 girls were kidnapped from their school by an extremist group who oppose western culture and the education of girls. Some girls escaped, but 276 are still captive and the terrorist group have said they will sell the girls into slavery. Can you imagine being kidnapped from YOUR school and held by terrorists to be sold as slaves or forced into a child-marriage with someone you've never met? Nigeria may seem far away to some of us, but these are girls JUST LIKE YOU who have had their dreams and their futures stolen from them in the most terrifying way. Their families are grieving and the world looks on as a terrorist group uses fear, violence and bullying to push its views on others.

In the last week, the campaign #BringBackOurGirls has worked to raise awareness, and it now has the support of Michelle Obama, wife of the US president, David Cameron, UK's Prime Minister, Malala Youssefi, one of the most inspiring teens I know of, and many, many high profile celebs. I've done mine - will you join us? Add your support by taking a selfie with the message #BringBackOurGirls and posting it to your FB page and/or emailing it to me here - if I get enough, I will make a slideshow of the pictures to share online.

What else? Well, the names of 177 of the kidnapped girls have been released. This makes the girls seem more real to me - every one of these girls matters, as do the girls whose names we do not yet know. My local #BringBackOurGirls group are writing LETTERS to the girls to show support. The letters will never reach the girls, but the idea is to write down your thoughts, hopes and prayers for one of the girls as a mark of how much you care. Again, photograph your letter and send it to me here and I will add it to the #BringBackOurGirls slideshow... together, we can show that we stand together against the kidnappers, that we CARE. Can you spare five minutes of your time to reach out a hand of friendship to the missing girls? I've written mine...

How do you know who to write to? Just choose a name from the list on this page, imagine that girl and write from the heart. Your feelings and love and support may just reach her, even if the letter cannot. You can post up your finished letter onto your FB page, onto your Twitter feed or onto Instagram. You can tell your friends what you are doing and ask them to read this, and to do the same. Tell your teachers, and your parents. Share this link, and show that you won't turn away from their plight. Girls are NOT chattels to be stolen, to be bought or sold into slavery. It matters. And we HAVE to speak out.

PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK & ASK YOUR FRIENDS/ SCHOOL TO SUPPORT THE NIGERIAN SCHOOLGIRLS TOO. WILL YOU TAKE THE CHALLENGE?

Will YOU take the challenge and write a letter and/or take a selfie with a #BringBackOurGirls message? COMMENT BELOW to let us know! 

REMEMBERING IZZY...

Reader Stephanie writes about how a school project opened her eyes to why we all need to take bullying a lot more seriously; it can kill...

Stephanie says:
Izzy Dix (pictured below) was a bright fourteen year old girl from Devon. She'd lived in Australia from the age of three and at eleven she moved back to the UK with her mum. Izzy was intelligent and her future was looking very bright indeed. Then things began to go wrong; the pupils at Izzy's new school began to tease her and make fun of her Australian accent and her achievements in school. She was targeted in school and also online, and as the bullying got steadily worse, she was told she wasn't wanted and that she shouldn't even be alive.

On 17th September 2013, Izzy took her own life; the bullying had all become too much. A coroner recorded her death as suicide, and said that she had experienced 'significant personal and emotional turmoil.' Izzy's death had a profound effect on her mum, Gabbi, but also on the bullies themselves.

I found Izzy's story while researching an idea for a drama piece to go towards my BTEC in Performing Arts, and I knew I had found a story that would have a big impact on others and show them how much damage bullying can do. Before her death, Izzy wrote a poem called 'I Give Up' expressing her pain; it's heartbreaking.

My drama piece was quite sad to perform, as Izzy's death was on all of our minds. It was a reality check on the fact that bullying happens every day, and that sometimes the outcome can be suicide; and that all of this could be prevented. In the drama piece, I played the part of Izzy's mum, which gave me a different perspective on the how suicide can affect other people. This certainly came through at the end when we got feedback from the audience; one of the parents watching said they would never have fully understood what can drive people to take their own life without watching the performance. I feel it gave out a very strong message... I was so glad I'd found and researched the story and been able to bring it to other people.

After Izzy's death, her mum Gabbi set up a petition to get the UK government to close Ask.fm, a website where people ask questions which are answered anonymously; the site is a beehive for bullies and other teen suicides have been linked to it. Stamping out bullying has got to be a priority for our generation; we need to get angry, we need to change things. If enough of us care, then one day in the future, perhaps bullying will finally be a thing of the past.

Do you agree that bullying needs to stop, and that sites like Ask.fm which protect bullies should be closed down? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC....

Do you play a musical instrument - or wish you did? We asked readers what music means to them...

Vanessa says:
I play the piano. I've been playing for eight years and have passed my Grade Five exam, so I'm now working on Grade Six! I started because I loved listening to my friends and parents play - and now I can join in with them! My whole family (there are six of us!) play different instruments and we switch and swap to create our own little band - it's great fun, especially at Christmas and family celebrations! Music puts a smile on everyone's face! I'd recommend any instrument to anybody - music is amazing and the sense of achievement you feel when you perfect a piece is worth all the hard work.

Laura says:
I play alto saxophone and a few other things too - Dad taught me how to play the organ when I was younger, but I haven't played in a while now. I started saxophone when I was twelve, inspired by the character of Sam in the Cathy Cassidy book Gingersnaps! It was challenging at first - I had the mouthpiece the wrong way round and couldn't play a note without getting high-pitched squeaks! I soon got the hang of it, though, and took Grade One a year later; now I'm at Grade Five... I play with a band at college, too. I play keyboard at college and sing too, and I have a guitar which I am hoping to learn soon! I don't know many people who play sax. People imagine it's just jazz and blues, but it's MUCH more than that. I am completely inspired by music... I can let my feelings go out into the music, and that always makes me happy.

Mina says:
I'm starting to play the violin but I can't actually play anything yet! I'm trying to learn 'This is Gallifrey' by Murray Gold at the moment. I wanted to start violin because I'd love to have a talent that was unique. I play piano already, but I know lots of people who can do that too and violin just seemed very cool! I listen to loads of songs that have violin in them and every time I listen I imagine how amazing it would be to play like that...

Deborah says:
Music is a huge part of my life and I play manu different instruments. I started playing violin and joined the school choir in Year Three, and the following year performed with the choir at the Royal Albert Hall! Later we were chosen to take part in a concert called 'Perform' where I played the trombone! At secondary school, my music really took off. I have a virtuoso trait where I can hear a song and pick up the notes without seeing a sheet of music, so I can learn songs quickly; this also helped me to become the keyboardist at my church! I'm in the school choir at secondary too and picked up my violin lessons again. I can't always fit practice into my schedule but music is practically my life - I love it!

Lily says:
I play guitar. I started in my last year of primary school because it looked like fun - and I thought it would be cool to learn to play different songs! I began learning chords and progressed from there. I'm at secondary now and I still love guitar; I probably practice more now than I used to. I'd like to write my own songs... one day, maybe!



Have Vanessa, Laura, Mina, Deborah or Lily inspired YOU to try a musical instrument? COMMENT BELOW to tell us which one you'd most like to try out... or share your own musical stories!

AZANIA: I LIVE IN INDIA!

Ever wondered what life might be in India? Reader Azania is here to tell all!

Azania says:

I live in Mumbai which is a busy, metropolitan city in India. Life here is awesome! Because I live in such a big city I get to meet people from all over the world - it's a real metropolis! However global we become, though, Indians will always be Indians at heart. The climate in Mumbai is hot and humid in the summer, and it floods during the monsoon. If it rains heavily, school is cancelled and we get a chance to have fun in the rain - it's our equivalent of a snow day! 

Western clothes are now a part of life for Indian youth; whatever the stereotypes say it is very rare to see someone in a saree heading to college or work. The saree is usually reserved for cultural festivals, but there are those who find traditional dress more comfortable and choose it over western styles... it's a personal choice. In the villages, things are much more traditional and Indian dress is what you would see. The saree I am wearing in the picture is 25 years old and belongs to my mum - it's made of pink silk lined with green, with hand embroidery. It is draped in the traditional gurjarati way. The saree is really heavy and hard to carry, but I really love it!

Religion is diverse too... many people are Hindu but Muslims, Christians, Jews and Parsis are common also; I guess we don't have too many atheists though! In the city we all do our own thing and what religion you are is not important - what kind of person you are is much more important. In rural areas there is more of a religious bias, but as the literacy rate rises that may ease off. Some Hindu sects require followers to be vegetarian but others are less strict and do eat meat! Indian culture is still very strong and very much valued. The picture shows me with some traditional Kathakali dancers in Kerala, one of India's most beautiful areas - this was taken on a school tour.

India is a pot pourri of cultures which intersect at every turn, and our food shows our love of variety. It ranges from curries to steamed rice with dal (a sort of veg gravy made with pulses) to overseas influences like lasagne and garlic bread! There's a street food vendor who sells raw mango and tamarind near my school - that's him in the picture - it may not be the most healthy or hygienic snack, but it's definitely the most delicious! Schools here have a strict uniform rule - it does get boring wearing the same kind of clothes every day, but it really does help you to feel a part of the school. I go to a co-ed school which is just a short car journey from home. We have a catchment area system, but it is not strictly enforced, so I have friends from all around the city.

My life's ambition is to be a journalist and bring the truth to people all around the world; I would also love to be a writer. I am interested in what is happening all around the world, but I am happy and proud to be Indian - this country has made me what I am!

Cathy says:

Wow... Azania's account really brings India to life! It is a country I have always wanted to visit - how about you? COMMENT HERE to tell us if you've been to India or would like to visit; or if YOU are an overseas reader who would like to share your story with DREAMCATCHER!

PICTURE THIS...

Have you ever loved a character in a book so much they felt like they were real? So real you could imagine exactly what they looked like? We talked to some readers who've used their artistic skills to bring some of their fave CC characters to life...

Blue says:
I drew Paul because he's my favourite character in Driftwood - one of my all time favourite CC characters, in fact. I decided to draw Krusty too as that showcases Paul's gentle, caring side. And Krusty is a cute little kitten which is always fun to draw. Paul was great to draw too due to his green hair, plaits and panda-esque eye make-up. Any artist (not that I'm a professional or anything!) can tell you what fun it is to draw unique and interesting people, fictional or otherwise! I used shell, sand, driftwood and seaweed imagery to spell out Paul's name, too, as it fits in with the story. It's not a serious sketch but the best job I could do with felt pens!

Katie says:
I've made a picture of Jude and Carter from the book SUNDAE GIRL. They are my favourite characters because Jude is always strong and doesn't give up hope, even when her mother lets her down. She looks after her nan and grandad too. I like Carter because he cares about Jude and will always be there for her and help her, no matter what. I also loved the bits about his attempts to master rollerblading... just so funny! I love the ending of SUNDAE GIRL, even though it's sad, and that's the bit I chose to draw. I love drawing - it's a bit like reading, because you enter your own little world for a while when you do it!

Deborah says:
I painted some of my favourite Cathy Cassidy characters as part of an art project - we had to make realistic images, and I took my inspiration from the photo book covers. This one is of Mouse from LUCKY STAR - I love the way he's looking into the distance on the covers, and wanted to capture his expression and create a deeper meaning to it. He looks a bit like he's daydreaming! I made the background brown to recreate the darkness in his life story; it's painted using watercolours, which I love to use. Mouse is a really inspirational character; he makes you try to be the best you can be as he is not afraid to follow his passion and fights his enemies with graffiti (words). He's just really cute!

Laoise says:
Cherry and Shay are my favourite characters from any Cathy Cassidy book... they make a great couple! I decided to paint a scene set beside the gypsy caravan from the book CHERRY CRUSH as I love all the imagery of the gypsy caravan and loved imagining what it might look like. I'd love to live in a caravan like that! I love art and my favourite medium is painting, because it's messy and fun to work with... I love making sculptures from clay too. I used acrylic paints for this picture, and I was very happy with the way it turned out!

Kaylee says:
Kon-nichiwa! I'm thirteen years old and I come from the land of imagination... OK, in all seriousness... I'm from Australia. I discovered Cathy Cassidy when my mum gave me a copy of Angel Cake one day after school. I fell in love with it instantly and soon began reading the Chocolate Box Girls series. I love drawing in an anime/manga style and Japanese culture is also a huge inspiration, so Cherry is a character who really fascinates me. CHERRY CRUSH is definitely one of my favourite books and I think I am very like her! I love drawing... art is literally my life, and the anime/manga style comes naturally. I suppose art and books have both had a massive impact on me and drawing my favourite character brings the two strands together.

Do YOU like to draw? Have you ever tried to sketch your favourite CC character? We're looking for more pics for a future feature, so get in touch! Or do you have a favourite from the drawings above? MESSAGE BELOW to let me know!

THE SMART GIRL'S REVISION GUIDE...

SATs looming?Or GCSE/ A levels/ Standard grades/ Highers? Whatever the exam, our fab reader tips on how to maximise study time and survive the stress is well worth a read!

Cathy says:
Start revising sooner than you think you need to - getting a good study habit will keep you calm and make you feel in control. Make a study timetable and try to stick to it; it will help you to cover all the subjects you need to revise rather than just the bits you enjoy. I used to copy out my study notes several times over to make sure they stuck in my mind, and a friend made sound recordings of her revision notes and listened to the recordings on repeat... great ways of fixing the basics in your memory. Repetition is the best way to make sure the information sticks.

Georgina says:
Take breaks as you revise as after the first hour of study your brain needs a brief rest. Treat yourself to a magazine  or a bar of chocolate when you achieve a goal, such as covering all of your science topics or completing a whole day of revision. Exercising is a great way of reducing stress, too!

Katie says:
For SATs, DO study beforehand - but DON'T panic! The test is just to see if the teachers are doing their job properly and to see which groups you should be in at high school. If your school does a study group, go along - you'll feel more prepared and more confident.

Bea says:
Staying calm is the main thing. Be prepared - study for 45 minute chunks and rest for 15 minutes, and keep going! Give yourself time to cover everything - don't try to do it all on the morning of the test or exam, you'll just put yourself into panic mode. Good luck, everybody!

Laura says:
When I'm stressed and under pressure I tend to either daydream or listen to music... I daydream that I am a character in another world. It helps me cope when things are tough. (Revision helps too, of course!)

Stephanie-Jade says:
Believe that you will do your best - don't tell yourself you'll fail, that will just stress you out more. Tell yourself: 'I will do the very best that I can,' and you'll feel a lot better. If you are a work-a-holic, be careful not to over-revise - leave time to take breaks and relax, too.

Hannah says:
Make a plan at the start so you revise all the subjects equally and give a little extra time to subjects you struggle with. I write out a daily plan, tackling maybe two subjects and adding in breaks too. When I reach my target I reward myself with an hour of TV, or, after an hour of revision, I take the dog for a walk to keep my head clear. Don't give up when it seems hard - the harder it is, the more time you need to spend on it. Revising with others helps sometimes and I make little flash cards and tests, too. I'm at uni now and these tips are still getting me through some really tough exams!

Scarlet says:
SATs (well, any exams) can be tricky so the main thing is to stay calm and use your time wisely. When doing the test, scan through the paper beforehand so you know what is ahead; then answer the questions as best you can; then leave time to check through at the end. If you're in panic mode you may miss a question, or even a whole page, as I did.  Check, check, double-check and read the questions carefully!

Lauren says:
Classical music! Aside from the fact that it's awesome, there are no lyrics to distract you and it can be soothing and motivating. Youtube has a variety of playlists for study... go take a look!

Blue says:
Practice with past papers in exam conditions so you know what to expect; you'll get a sense of the time you have to write up essays and answers. Find out if you're a visual or auditory learner. I'm a visual learner so I drew mind-maps with bright colours and pretty drawings. I also consumed my body weight in Mountain Dew in the run up to my exams...

Zenna says:
Don't try to cram your brain... slow and steady revision is best. If there's something you don't understand, ask your teacher to go over it for you, and if your school offers study groups go along. DON'T leave revision until the last minute... that's a recipe for panic. Be prepared.

Do YOU have exams or tests to study for? Do you have a way of working that suits you? How do you handle the stress? COMMENT BELOW to share your views and add your advice!

HEY, HONEY...

The fifth book in the CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS series, SWEET HONEY, is out in UK & Ireland on June 5th... or a teeny bit earlier if you're lucky, as the bookshops often put new releases on the shelves as soon as they arrive. So... what should you expect?

Cathy says:
From the minute I began the Chocolate Box Girls series, I knew that Honey's book would be the one I really, really looked forward to writing. Honey is probably the most interesting of the Tanberry sisters - a charming, moody, rebellious drama queen with a spiteful, selfish streak. Is she trouble, pure and simple, or does the tough exterior hide a whole lot of hurt? Honey is definitely one of those characters you either love or hate... will this book change your opinion of her?

It turned out that Honey's book was a whole lot harder to write than I'd imagined. Not only was her story emotional and dramatic, it threw up some surprises even I hadn't imagined or predicted. The story is set in Australia, as Honey is shipped off to stay with her adored dad for the ultimate fresh start. She starts a new school, makes friends, meets not just one but two very cool boys... so far, so good. But when things begin to unravel, who will be there for Honey - who can she really trust?

Like all my stories, Sweet Honey began as a few sketches and jotted notes in my notebook. Next, I made a moodboard on the pinboard next to my writing desk to keep me in Honey's world, and then it was down to the hard work of daydreaming... and writing down the story direct onto my laptop. Once the first draft was done, my editor Amanda read through the story and I began the second draft... at this stage, the book was way too long, so cutting things down was the first task! Once the story was in better shape, my fabulous designer Sara began work on the cover - she hand-iced designs onto chocolates to fit the story and photographed them while the girls at Puffin HQ gathered round, watching, waiting for their chance to swipe the chocolates! The first version of the cover was a deep, burnt orange, but the final version is a deep pink that really sizzles. I love it! Then Sara got to work on the inside artwork, I finished the last edits and the whole thing was sent away to be printed.

So what can you expect from Sweet Honey once 5th June rolls around? Drama and trouble, of course - but expect the unexpected, too! You can pre-order Sweet Honey from any good indie bookshop or from your local Waterstones; or order from amazon.co.uk. Or you can come along to one of the public signings on my June book tour, buy the book and get it signed and personalised too - details will be going up on the EVENTS page on my website, www.cathycassidy.com as soon as the bookshops and dates are confirmed. See you there!

Will you be reading SWEET HONEY? What would YOU like to see in the story? COMMENT BELOW to share your thoughts, ideas and predictions for book five in the CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS series!

BEAR WITH ME...

I've had my old teddy ever since I can remember... in fact, it's older than me. Along with a few of my adult friends, I'm telling all about my favourite childhood toy...

Cathy says:
My teddy was hand-made by a friend of my dads. He had golden fur and glass eyes and soft leatherette on his paws. His nose and whiskers were stitched on in black wool yarn and when you turned him upside-down, he growled. Over the years, he was loved and hugged so much his fur wore away completely and sawdust began to leak from little holes in his skin. One ear came off and had to be sewn back on because that was how I carried him about when I was small. His paws wore away and his whiskers came loose and he stopped making a noise at all, but I loved him. His name was Big Ted - imaginative, wasn't I? When I left home to go to art college, I took him along and he used to sit on my dressing table wearing a big floppy vintage hat, looking cool. These days he sits on a bookshelf in my workroom and wears a friendship bracelet my husband gave me when we first met, a vintage scarf bandaged around one broken arm and a tie-dye bandana my son once wore as a bib. Over the years a mismatched crew of other vintage toys have joined him, mostly rescued from jumble sales and junk shops. Toys that were once loved deserve to be loved still, not thrown out with the rubbish. Is there such a thing as a Vintage Toy Rescue? I think there is. I think I might actually run one...

Alison says:
I don't remember when I first had Jim. He was my first teddy and therefore my favourite. People would often ask why he was called Jim and I would reply, 'Because he's got red legs!' When I was in the infants, I used to read the Nurse Nancy stories from Twinkle comic to him, then acted them out with Jim as my patient. He endured injections, plasters, bandages and slings. My favourite game was schools, and Jim was my star pupil - I taught him to read with miniature books I'd made him. At eighteen, I went to university to study for an English degree, and left Jim behind; I then trained as a primary school teacher and went on to teach children to read. When I bought my first house, I took a box of my old things from the loft of my parents' house and in it was Jim. I now train primary school teachers and Jim sits on my bookshelf along with favourite books like Mick Inkpen's 'Threadbear' and Jane Hissey's 'Old Bear'.

Che says:
I still have Pinky, a rather flat and dull looking teddy I found in a puddle in Cork when I was a child. Pinky is so flat I could fold him up and he hid in my pocket for years - at school, at home, everywhere. When i was upset I could put my hand in my pocket and feel he was there. These days, he lives in a drawer with my knickers and bras and still smiles up at me first thing every morning!

Natalie says:
When I was eighteen months old I got seriously ill with bronchial pneumonia and in those days, parents were not allowed to stay with their kids when they were in hospital. I felt very alone and as well as being ill, I missed my parents terribly. I was in hospital on and off for over three years, and these two teddies, White Ted and Blue Ted, were my lifeline - they became substitute parents in a way. I wouldn't be parted from them, and once I left one behind by accident and we had to drive fifteen miles to the hospital to get it back! These days I am in good health and run my own juice bar, but I still have these teddies and couldn't bear to ever throw them away, even though they're completely mangled now! They meant the world to me back then, and I will never forget that.

Do YOU have a soft toy or teddy that you loved to pieces when you were little? COMMENT BELOW to share your stories, or tell us which of the teddies/ stories above you liked best!