Last week we asked you to introduce us to your favourite childhood toys… you know, the one-eyed, balding shadow of a teddy bear in the spare room or the disfigured dolly lurking in the cupboard under the stairs.
The response was mighty. It seems we’re a sentimental bunch who hold onto things for much longer than is probably normal for fully functioning adults. But hey, the pictures made for some hilarious viewing.
Today, (brace yourself), our top ten HerFamily.ie readers introduce their most precious (battered, bruised and slightly scary) childhood companions…
“My little Bluey.” – Carrie O’Meara
“This is Wembley, he is 19 years old and he still lives on my bed, I don’t know how much longer he will survive though as my kids love him to bits!” – Sarah Charlotte Aitken-Cormac
“This is TedTed, he’s 27 years old. My brother William got him as a present when he was nine months old. He (reluctantly) passed him down to my daughter Alanna who was four when she was going into Crumlin Hospital for a heart operation. She was really nervous and upset and William gave him to her and told her he was very special bear that was going to mind her and keep her safe while she had her heart fixed! Almost eight years later he’s still with Alanna, sits pride of place on her bed and is showing every sign of being loved! Can’t see him ever leaving now!” -Laura Francis
“Not too bad for 35!” – Joy Bennett
“This is Minnie. I’ve had her for 18 years next month. I still sleep with her at night too! Beside her is the exact teddy she used to be. I got her as a present the day I was born and she used to be bigger than me!” – Keely Farrell
“Here’s some pics of my husband’s favourite toy, Percy the pound puppy who is 31! I decided to restore him for our son who is four-weeks-old as a way to distract myself whilst being off work with a very difficult pregnancy. Percy got new eyes, nose, stuffing and stitches. Also a good wash. Just hope our son loves him as much as his dad did!” -Leanne Bolton
“This is Dolly Doozer, what was once a baby pink, plush teddy doll that felt like velour, is now this… I have loved her to death since day one, got her when I was born and I’m now 22, as a child she was rarely out of my hand. I still never sleep without her.” -Clare Byrne
“Years of mopping up tears and too many cuddles has taken it’s toll on poor Ted! He at least still has both eyes just about and only a few questionable stitches of varying colours as I lacked the patience to wait for Mammy to fix him up again, but at 30 years old he ain’t doing so bad.” – Laura Eustace
“Brownie is loved and cherished as much today as he was when I got him for Christmas 1973. He was also loved by my two sons but is back in my care again now they’re both too cool to love him!” -Lorraine Wharton, Tralee
“This is Morris my lifetime monkey. I’ve had him since before I was born, he was waiting in my cot for me when I got home. I haven’t slept a night without him since, and I’m 27 now! I can’t and won’t go to sleep without him.” -Natalie Clarke
