Ten year old Spencer Codling, from Skelton, North Yorkshire, who is bravely facing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), is the winner of the Cancer Support UK and Warmies national Create your Dream Bestie competition. Children with cancer were invited to draw and enter a picture of their dream best friend, for the chance to see their creation brought to life as a cuddly toy made by leading sensory soft toy producer Warmies.
The charismatic design of a cute teddy with superhero qualities – Bat Cat – emerged as a clear winner through a public vote from a shortlist of six outstanding entries.
Spencer said: “I wanted to create a superhero teddy, which children could cuddle when having treatment to make them feel better,” says Spencer, already a keen artist who enjoys drawing.”
Cancer Support UK CEO, Mark Guymer and Warmies MD, David Tweedale, visited Spencer personally at Great Ormond Street Hospital, while he was recovering from treatment, to present him with his well-deserved prize – a magnificent soft toy version of Bat Cat, brought to life by Warmies using Spencer’s beautifully drawn “Bestie.” He also received a framed copy of his winner’s certificate together with Warmie’s concept artwork for Bat Cat.
Mark Guymer said: “We’d like to congratulate Spencer on his fantastic Bat Cat design, which the public took to their hearts. We’d also like to say a huge thank you and well done to all the children who entered our competition – the standard was exceptionally high and all the children should be very proud of themselves. Every child who entered has received a Warmies’ soft toy as a prize.”
Karen Codling, Spencer’s mum said: “We are incredibly proud of Spencer – his cancer journey has been really tough and to see the positive impact that this competition has had on him is incredible. For him, just knowing his design was receiving votes made him happy, but then to find out he won, it just blew him away. The support he received was fantastic.”
