Our Stories - Margaret Pringle
Margaret Pringle waited until the twilight of her years to begin a love affair…..with the Teddy Bear Foundation.
The sprightly pensioner turned her 80 th birthday party into a fundraiser for our charity, asking guests to bring no gifts. Instead, she suggested they should bring a cheque made out to the Teddy Bear Foundation.
Famously, she told us:”When you get to my age, you find you have all the ornaments you want.”
That kind gesture raised £340 for special needs kids across Scotland.
Sadly, we have learned that Margaret passed away in January 2011 after suffering a fall at her home in Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire.
But, typically, she was able to help kids even in death.
Her family say she was so proud of her donation to us, they organised a special collection at her funeral, which was attended by hundreds of family, friends and neighbours.
And, incredibly, the Teddy Bear Foundation is now £1100 better off as a result.
Daughter Dianne explained:”It is what she would have wanted.
“Mum was so proud of being on the Teddy Bear website she would tell all her friends to go online.
“After her 80 th birthday, she found an envelope with £10 in it and she fretted that she owed it to the Teddy Bear Foundation.
“Well, we decide to pay her debts by having a collection at her funeral!”
Margaret, who was born in the village of Wanlockhead in 1930, looked after the home of three doctors as a home help in her working life. The widow lived in sheltered housing in Sanquhar for her final 20 years.
She said she always had a soft spot for kids. She had five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
The Teddy Bear Foundation has sent its condolences to the family of a very special lady. The money collected in her name will be used to bring some sunshine into the lives of many children.
Margaret Pringle thought of others when she marked her 80th birthday.
