News

For many families, Christmas begins with a suitcase in one hand and a teddy in the other. But when that beloved bear goes missing, the magic can quickly unravel.

As festive travel plans start to take shape, new research from Heathrow Express¹ (the direct 15-minute service from Central London to Heathrow) reveals just how much chaos a missing cuddly toy can cause for families on the move.

Almost one in five UK parents (18 per cent) say they’ve missed a travel connection or delayed a journey because their child's teddy went missing. A quarter (26 per cent) have spent up to half an hour hunting for a lost toy, while one in 10 (12 per cent) say the loss ruined their family trip altogether.

Nearly a third of parents (29 per cent) admit to having bought a replacement bear while abroad, with well over two fifths (45 per cent) spending up to £50, and one tenth (11 per cent) shelling out as much as £100.

One in 20 (7 per cent) have even shipped a replacement teddy internationally, while one in ten (11 per cent) admit to having “aged” a new bear with dirt to pass them off as the original.

And when there’s no quick fix, many turn to imagination. A third of parents (34 per cent) have told a white lie to their child about a lost bear’s whereabouts, claiming it’s “on holiday” (10 per cent), “staying at home to watch the house” (12 per cent), or “visiting a teddy hospital” (5 per cent).

To help bring some joy back to travelling families this festive season, Heathrow Express is teaming up with pre-loved toy organisation Loved Before to launch ‘Operation Teddy Rescue’ - a new long-term initiative to help lost teddies find their way home.

Families who misplace a teddy while travelling will now be directed straight to Loved Before to check if their bear has been found, giving parents an easy and reassuring way to search, and children hope that their best friend may be on their way back.

Aoife Considine, Business Lead at Heathrow Express, said: “Travelling with children can be full of joyful highs and tumultuous lows – and we know how much little comforts, like a favourite teddy, can make the journey more bearable and special.

“Our research shows the incredible lengths parents will go to keep those smiles shining, and I will never forget the wonderful railway staff that reunited me with my teddy Robert at Birmingham International station many moons ago. That's why this year we’re launching our lost-bear initiative to help reunite families with their much-loved travel companions.

“We’re proud to offer a reliable, family-friendly service that parents can count on to make at least one part of the journey smooth and stress-free. And if a few well-loved bears find their way home in the process this Christmas – even better.”

Each rescued teddy will be gently cleaned, given a cuddle and reunited with its original owner wherever possible. And if all else fails, and the original owner can't be found, the bear will be lovingly rehomed with someone new - ensuring it continues to be cherished, rather than thrown away.

Some transport-rescued bears will even have their stories shared online as part of Loved Before’s joyful ‘100 Days To Save Christmas’ campaign, from feeling forgotten to being found and loved again.

As part of the partnership, a collection of pre-loved teddies will also be passed on to a local community organisation, offering a small dose of comfort to those who might need it the most. The soft toy handover will be supported by a contribution from Heathrow Express to help Loved Before continue its work rehoming teddies across the UK, and the recipient organisation is set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

While teddy mishaps may be impossible to plan for, one part of the journey doesn’t have to be. With a smooth, spacious 15-minute ride from Central London to Heathrow, Heathrow Express is helping families hold on to the magic of Christmas - with no traffic and plenty of room for excitement and anticipation.

With advance fares from just £10² and free travel for under-15s with a paying adult³, the direct 15-minute service has become a popular choice for families looking to start holidays on a happy note – now with a few extra teddy reunions along the way.

Think your bear might have taken an express adventure? Follow @heathrowexpress and @lovedbefore_london on Instagram to see the latest rescued teddies and find out how to report a lost bear, or adopt one who’s still looking for their forever home.

ENDS