What started as a personal mission to bring comfort to children facing difficult medical journeys has grown into a community-supported teddy bear drive, with Alberton teenager Lola-Hope Myburgh collecting more than 1 000 teddy bears.

The 16-year-old launched the Lola-Hope Teddy Bear Drive after her own experience of undergoing major heart surgery and spending time in hospital.

Having experienced the loneliness and uncertainty that can come with being a young patient, Myburgh wanted other children to have something to hold on to during difficult moments.

Her campaign has since received support from schools, organisations and members of the community who have donated teddy bears to the initiative.

More than 1 000 teddy bears collected

On September 19, Myburgh expressed her gratitude to Amigos Portuguese JHB after receiving a crate containing more than 1 000 teddy bears.

She described the donation as a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support children in need.

The bears will be distributed to children who need comfort, with Myburgh describing them as “over 1000 hugs ready to be delivered.”

The latest donation follows several distributions and visits carried out as part of the campaign.

Bringing comfort to hospital patients

On September 2, Myburgh visited children at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where she distributed 130 teddy bears.

The visit was particularly meaningful for the teenager, who knows first-hand what it is like to spend time in hospital while facing a serious medical condition.

She said her hope was that the teddy bears would help the children feel less alone and remind them that they are not forgotten.

Myburgh also thanked the hospital for allowing her to visit and share some kindness with the children.

Supporting children at Angels Baby Sanctuary

On September 9, the campaign extended beyond the hospital setting when Myburgh visited Angels Baby Sanctuary.

She shared her excitement at seeing the children receive their teddy bears, describing the experience of watching them run around and hug their new soft toys as a special moment.

The initiative has received support from Hoërskool Alberton, Laerskool President Steyn, Amigos Portuguese JHB and Bellavista Primary School, which have helped collect teddy bears for the campaign.

Myburgh has also continued volunteering at Angels Baby Sanctuary, where she spends time with babies and young children and assists with collecting donations for the organisation.

Turning her experience into hope

The teddy bear drive is an extension of Myburgh’s decision to turn her own difficult medical experience into something that can help other children.

Her heart condition forced her to give up the sport she loved, but she has continued looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others.

The campaign also forms part of her journey as an official Miss Teen South Africa 2026 finalist.

Myburgh hopes the initiative will continue growing and reach more children who are experiencing difficult circumstances.

For her, the message behind the campaign remains simple: children going through difficult times should know that they are not alone.

People who would like to support the teddy bear drive can contact Sky Myburgh at 084 987 0000 for information about current collection points.

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