5,000 teddies sent to Syrian children

Cuddly toys journey from Island to Lebanon

More than 1,000 Christmas teddy bears will begin their journey from the Isle of Man to Syrian children in Lebanese refugee camps today (Sat).

Facebook group Manx Support Refugees organised the bear collection to join 5,000 other bears - they'll travel in two containers paid for by grass-roots charity campaigners, MerseyAid.

Adults and children from across the Island have donated the soft toys - which were placed into individual zip-lock bags with letters for their new owners.

Primary and high schools also contributed to the effort - along with University College Isle of Man.

Zoe Thompson helped compile and get the teddies ready for delivery, she tells us what's written on one of the notes.