Make‑Wish Ireland seeks missing five‑foot teddy bear after Irish Open

Make‑Wish Ireland has launched an appeal for the return of its five‑foot mascot, a teddy bear named Hope, which vanished from the charity’s tent at the Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg on Sunday evening, 13 September.

Hope was last seen at 7 pm in the Make‑Wish tent in the Championship Village. When staff returned to pack up the tent, the bear was missing. The mascot, standing about five feet tall with soft blonde fur, brown eyes and a blue Make‑Wish T‑shirt, has been a familiar presence at the charity’s events across Ireland for around 15 years.

Make‑Wish CEO Susan O’Dwyer said a courier collected the charity’s belongings the following day, but Hope was not among them. The organisation is now working with the Trump Hotel in Doonbeg, Amgen and on‑site suppliers to determine whether the bear was inadvertently placed in a collection vehicle.

The charity asks spectators, event staff, contractors and volunteers who were in the Championship Village after 7 pm on 13 September, or who helped clear the site, to contact Catherine Monaghan on 086 8333365 or via email at Catherine@HarteMedia.ie. Photographs or video from that evening that might show Hope are also welcomed.

Hope has been described as a “much‑loved member of the team”, providing hugs and comfort to children and families living with critical medical conditions, and the charity hopes to bring her home soon.

Source: Clare Champion. Photo: andrew shelley / Pexels.