A NORTH Wales grandmother spoke about her role as a ‘community superhero’ and how preloved teddy bears have helped her spread a vital safety message to hundreds of people.

Susan Griffiths, who volunteers with OWL, has helped to create more than 300 teddy bears as part of the ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign which aims to keep people safe as darker nights start to draw in as we say goodbye to summer.

The preloved teddy bears are donated to OWL Cymru by members of the public but, before going to their new homes, they are given a knitted or crochet hat and scarf in one of the four neon colours linked to the campaign.

Susan, who worked with North Wales Police for 30 years before 10 years of childminding, told the Leader: “I love what I do, it is so rewarding to see that it is making a difference and getting a very important message heard with people young, old and everywhere in between.

“It all started when someone got in touch with a bunch of teddy bears destined for landfill to see if we had any use for them – and the campaign was born from there.

“Everyone at some point in their life has loved a teddy bear and all of our preloved bears are now given a new purpose and lease of life by helping to bring their own safety messages to the community.”

Susan, also known as her alter ego of SuperGran, prepares the bears ready for their new home with a new set of clothes, a name and story incorporated into their very own adoption certificate.

The campaign was formed ibn January 2018 and, since then, more than 300 bears have been donated and given a new name and backstory to help spread awareness of being safe and seen in the darker nights.

The bears clothing also ties in with the range of bright products that OWL offer to help people be safe in the dark.

Susan added that members of the public have backed the bright bears campaign – through donations of old teddy bears and wool or by giving their time to dress the bears in brightly coloured hats and scarves.

These bears have been used to bring comfort to older and vulnerable people, children and people during traumatic experiences.

At the OWL Cymru base, joined up to Mold Police Station, have a display of the bears along with a few special stories that have come from the teddys.

One story involves PC Matt Jones, from Flintshire who has worked with the Metropolitan Police for four years, and his bear Dafydd whom he received after sustaining an injury.

Matt started volunteering with OWL Cymru at the age of 14, with the desire to stop drugs on the streets of his hometown and violence in the home.

Susan tailored a story for Dafydd the bear - who’s certificate says he is on a secret mission as a member of fictional group Bears Against Violence who was sent to look after the injured constable.

Denise Edwards, CEO and founder of Owl Cymru, expressed her gratitude for all that Sue has done for the project.

She said: “Sue is a real-life superhero. Sue’s character of SuperGran plays a big part in this campaign, not just because she likes to dress up, it is because this targets children and their safety and we believe that grandparents can be a vital part of that.

“The message connected to our bears is one of personal safety. During the darker nights, we encourage the public to wear something bright, but we are hoping to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless to help them, not abuse them.”

Volunteers are welcome to help with the task of knitting and crocheting items for the bears – and any bears looking for a new home are always welcomed by OWL.

Contact OWL Cymru on 01352 708118 or email watch@owlcymru.org if you would like to help.