One-thousand teddy bears are being sent to Samoa to provide relief to children in hospital who have caught measles.
The charity Teddies for Loving Care Appeal provides teddy bears to hospital emergency departments, which staff can use to comfort young children while they are being cared for.
Over 500 bears are being delivered to Apia's main hospital on Thursday, and chairman Tony Mansfield said the toys can provide a lot of relief.
"It's something soft and cuddly, it comforts them, it's something they can hang on to if their mum or dad isn't right there next to them. It's just a little something to try and make them feel just that little bit better," Mansfield told Newshub.
Seventy-three people, mostly infants, have died in the Samoa measles crisis so far.
"You've just got to look at the sick children, your heart has to go out to them. They're just completely distressed, completely miserable. So a teddy bear will give them something to cuddle and something to comfort them," Mansfield said.
He hopes the teddies help the young, unwell children over the Christmas period.
"We just thought it would be a nice thing to do for Christmas to send some up there for the children in hospital with measles."
There are currently over 5200 measles cases in Samoa.
