SAY HELLO TO A SPECIAL BEAR. A BEAR WHOSE LIFE IS DEDICATED TO CARE.
You see, Teddy is a bear that can change lives. A bear that’s all about putting smiles on dials.
Because he hopes to one day cure epilepsy. For the 250,000 Australians who have this brain mystery.
He’s dressed by Christian Kimber, the 2019 National Designer of the Year. He truly does look like a million bucks, that’s clear.
We know COVID has made times so tough, but epilepsy doesn’t go away and can be very rough.
So, Teddy wants to find a home with a millionaire. A corporation, a philanthropist, someone who has the money to spare.
A million dollars will fund care for kids, for families, and for lots of research. That’s why he has begun this all important search.
He knows it’s a big ask but he knows he’ll find a home that’s beautiful. For whoever buys him will have millions of people forever thankful.
He’s the Million Dollar Teddy Bear, the rarest of rare. Let’s find him a home to help provide that special care.
WHAT WILL A MILLION DOLLARS DO?
With this million dollars, Epilepsy Action Australia will be able to provide:
- Support for people with epilepsy of all ages, from very young children to their families
- Seven days a week phone support, with a trained nurse at the end of the line
- Epilepsy education for the broader community
- Campaigning for new treatments
- and raising awareness of epilepsy and its impacts.
If you are interested in buying the Million Dollar Teddy Bear, please click the link below to email the CEO of Epilepsy Action Australia, Carol Ireland, to find out more about how you can help, and what a difference your generosity can make. (And yes, it's a tax deduction!)
Every March Epilepsy Action Australia holds Purple Day, our major fundraising event for the year. Unfortunately, this year it coincided with the shutdown of society with the COVID-19 virus. This meant a major funding shortfall which is threatening our services. But epilepsy didn’t stop for COVID. It marched ever onwards with increased need.
WHY A TEDDY BEAR?
One of the many wonderful things Epilepsy Action Australia does is to send young kids with epilepsy their own Cuddly Ted-E-Bear (the E stands for epilepsy), which helps them feel the love and support they can get in a very tangible way.
If you don’t happen to have a million dollars lying around ;) you can purchase an original Cuddly Ted-E-Bear direct from Epilepsy Action Australia to help fund their amazing services.
THE BEAR ESSENTIALS
The Million Dollar Teddy Bear has been outfitted by 2019 Melbourne Fashion Festival National Designer of the Year Christian Kimber (whose brother has epilepsy), with bespoke designed garments, expertly stitched by hand.
Christian Kimber is a leading Australian luxury menswear brand, redefining the concept of modern Australian mens style. They operate a thriving online, international wholesale, and growing retail business with retail stores in Fitzroy and Armadale in Melbourne.
Designer: Christian Kimber
Producer: Renuka Kimber
Pattern-maker: Linda Rogers
Seamstress/dressmaker: Lucy Nguyen
Overcoat fabric: Loro Piana
The designs are scaled down versions of real Christian Kimber signature garments.
The patterns and production were all done by hand, by industry specialists in Melbourne, Australia.
The fabrics are all garment-dyed Italian textiles produced and sourced from Italy.
The wool for the jacket is from one of the most luxurious wool producers in the world, Loro Piana.
You can also purchase a beautiful cotton Christian Kimber x Million Dollar Teddy Bear bandana for just $20 to show your support for the quarter of a million Aussies with epilepsy, and their families.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE MILLION DOLLAR TEDDY BEAR
In 2019, Lila Wadelton was diagnosed with epilepsy after experiencing a series of full tonic-clonic seizures along with up to forty absence seizures a day. She was just six-years-old at the time so her family knows first-hand the amazing support Epilepsy Action Australia offers, and why their services need to continue.
Her Cuddly Ted-E-Bear is a cherished possession. She hopes that someone will buy the Million Dollar Teddy Bear so all the other people in Australia who have epilepsy like her can experience the kindness she felt from the wonderful people at Epilepsy Action Australia.
TAG A MILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST!
Go on your socials, share the Million Dollar Teddy Bear, tag any squillionaires you know or follow with the hashtag #milliondollarteddybear, and let’s find Teddy a home, and give thousands of people with epilepsy some hope.
Below is an example of how you might :)
attention: super wealthy person with a heart of gold!
More than 250,000 Australians have epilepsy. Not to mention how it impacts all of their family and friends. Buy The Million Dollar Teddy Bear and you'll provide hope and support for millions of people across the nation.
#milliondollarteddybear
milliondollarteddybear.com
other ways to help
We know COVID has made things tight in 2020. But if you have the means, you can of course make a donation to the cause to help fund research and support for all those people with epilepsy. Every little bit helps! :)
WITH THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
The Million Dollar Teddy Bear couldn't have happened without the support of a range of volunteers to bring the idea to life.
TEDDY BEAR FASHION DESIGNER: Christian Kimber PHOTOGRAPHY OF TEDDY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR LAUNCH VIDEO: Jay Hynes
LOGO DESIGN: Ed Bechervaise WEBSITE DESIGN: From Little Things PHOTOGRAPHY OF LILA: Adam Luttick EDITING OF LAUNCH VIDEO: Adam White
AUDIO ENGINEER OF LAUNCH VIDEO: Sam Hopgood from Bang Bang Studios LOCATION FOR LAUNCH VIDEO: Rippon Lea Historic Mansion
NARRATION OF LAUNCH VIDEO: Nadine Garner ORIGINAL IDEA AND WRITING: Alex Wadelton
TEDDY OUT AND ABOUT SPREADING THE WORD
TEDDY CHILLING WITH TOMMY LITTLE
Had a big chinwag with comedian and The Project star Tommy Little about life, the universe, and everything. Turns out the answer is a million, not 42!
TEDDY RELAXING WITH MELISSA DOYLE (AM)
There's nothing like having a catch-up with a good friend. And Teddy just loved his time with TV presenter, journalist, and author Melissa, talking about how much the support of talking to someone who cares and understands epilepsy means.
TEDDY SINGING ALONG WITH LACHY GILLESPIE!
Every body clap... Everybody sing... it's Lachy the Purple Wiggle rock-a-bye bying Teddy! Hopefully a philanthropist in a big red car will rock up and buy Teddy for a million bucks!
TEDDY GOING FOR A WALK WITH JESSICA ROWE (AM)
Getting out into nature makes a world of difference, and Teddy just loved his wander with journalist, broadcaster, and author Jessica. The conversation was almost as sparkling as her top! Let's hope we can find Teddy a home with someone who has that sparkle in their eye :)
TEDDY HANGING OUT WITH RUSSEL HOWCROFT
Teddy had a lovely time with Gruen star and 3AW breakfast host Russel, talking about all the ways a million dollars could help the quarter of a million Aussies with epilepsy.
TEDDY WITH ACTING LEGEND NADINE GARNER
Teddy was lucky to have a cuddle with Nadine after she completed narrating the special launch video to help find him a home.
TEDDY CHATTING WITH PETER FITZSIMONS (AM)
One of Australia's greatest historians and authors (and Rugby Union legend), Peter understands what epilepsy is all about, having had a brother pass away from a seizure. So, he's keen to make history by selling Ted for a million dollars!
TEDDY'S PRIVATE LESSON WITH FORMER SOCCEROO CAPTAIN PAUL WADE (OAM)
Teddy just loved having a kick with Paul. Hearing Paul talk about his own journey with epilepsy and having a seizure before a match against the might of Argentina and Maradona really hit home how important helping raising awareness and investigating treatment for the 250,000 Aussies with epilepsy is.
TEDDY GETTING HIS FASHION ON WITH THE CHRISTIAN KIMBER TEAM
Being outfitted by 2019 National Designer of the Year Christian Kimber was a real honour. Hanging out with Ralph Kimber, Renuka Kimber and Christian was even better!
WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
Epilepsy is a common disease of the brain where there is a tendency to have recurrent seizures. It is a neurological disorder—not a form of mental illness—and seizures are caused by a temporary disruption of the electrical activity in the brain.
Approximately 3% to 3.5% of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point in their lives and over 250,000 Australians currently live with epilepsy.
Epilepsy can start at any age although it is more likely to be diagnosed in childhood or senior years.
There are many different types of epilepsies and people’s experiences differ greatly. Some types of epilepsy are age-limited and the person eventually stops having seizures. For others, epilepsy is a life-long condition