A dad from Morley, Leeds, has launched a new business making bespoke teddy bears for poorly children to help them feel better.
His teddy bears with health conditions have become an internet sensation amongst parents of vulnerable children and play therapists alike.
Nick Hardman, 37, works in industrial automation and likes to use his 3D printers in his spare time to create other objects on the side.
At the beginning of the pandemic, he used his 3D printers to produce 12,500 items of PPE to help stem the shortage that was seen across care homes and NHS hospitals.
Once supply began to level out for PPE, he then looked for a new project and came up with the idea to start making toys for sick children instead.
Soon after setting up his 3D Toy Shop, he received a request from a parent of a child with hydrocephalus to create them an accessible toy.
So, after doing some research and discovering the condition - in which an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid occurs within the brain, typically causing increased pressure and headaches - is often regulated with the use of a shunt valve, Nick set about doing just that.
The father of two designed and printed off a teddy-sized valve, then went about fitting it to the bear so that the child's toy would be just like them. After sharing it online, the post went viral - with over 68,000 commenting to praise his ingenuity.
That was in X. By October, he had over 100 requests for teddies with shunt valves - so set about getting the products tested to guarantee they were safe to be played with by the vulnerable children who wanted them.
He set up a fundraiser and found a lab to test his toys and plastics, refining the design to make sure it was compliant with toy standards before shipping the bears out to their new families.
Listed on Etsy, the shunt valve teddy bears have now been shipped right across the world to customers in far-flung countries like Australia and America.
Nick continues to take requests for accessible toys, and has gone on to create a bear with a tracheostomy valve and another with a Berlin Heart called Eddie the Teddy. 1.2-metre bear Eddie is destined for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he will be taken into the care of one lucky child.
Having received a lot of interest from hospitals and from play therapists seeking new ways to normalise disabilities for children, Hardman's ext plan is to set up a not-for-profit 3D printing business going forward with more machines to help him supply directly to hospitals.
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Dazzling Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Leeds this year
Temple Newsam will be transformed into a brand-new immersive festive story event.
Following a second successful winter, Leeds’ spectacular immersive light show Northern Lights is returning with a brand-new journey.
The Lost Light of Christmas is a narrative driven adventure that will lead visitors around the iconic grounds of Temple Newsam this winter, running from Friday 20 November to Thursday 31 December 2026.
With over 100,000 visitors each year, Northern Lights Leeds has been completely reimagined this winter with a showcase of exclusive art installations from some of the UK’s leading light artists.
Image: Supplied
There'll be special effects, interactive elements and bespoke audio compositions all tied together with an illuminating new narrative theme.
Visitors will follow a glowing trail through enchanted forests, along sparkling pathways and around shimmering lagoons with plenty of hidden surprises along the way as you help the fairies on their quest restore the Lost Light of Christmas before it goes out forever.
Approximately one mile in length, the light trail will host over a dozen illuminations with a curated selection of vintage fairground rides and a variety of classic festive treats, including mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
Images: Supplied
Ben Robinson - Director, From The Fields said: “After two incredible years at Temple Newsam we’re thrilled to be reinventing Northern Lights Leeds. The team have excelled themselves with a truly immersive narrative experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before and we think Leeds is going to love The Lost Light of Christmas.
"Having worked with Temple Newsam closely over the past few years, we’re constantly improving the Northern Lights experience in order to make it as inclusive and accessible as we can."
Tickets for The Lost Light of Christmas will go on sale Thursday 2 July with prices starting at £12.00 for children and £17.00 for adults. Get yours here.
A ‘Mini Mall’ full of independent food traders and local brands is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The Merrion Centre is set to become the home of an exciting new retail and food destination this summer.
Introducing The Mini Mall, an innovative retail concept designed to create a flagship city-centre destination for local brands, artisan producers and independent food traders.
The new 4,885 sq ft ground-floor space will be completely dedicated entirely to independent Yorkshire brands, artisan producers, and local food creators.
Operating as a premium 'satellite department store', The Mini Mall provides established independent businesses with fully staffed, centrally managed retail bays.
Image: Supplied
Shoppers can expect a carefully curated selection of Yorkshire-based homeware designers, fashion labels, craft producers, and street food vendors under one roof.
The Mini Mall will open on Saturday 25July with an official public grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live brand showcases, and the full launch of the Mini Food Hall.to meet the makers behind the brands.
Shaz Westfield, founder of Eventszo, said: "The Mini Mall was created to give independent businesses the opportunity to trade in a prime city-centre location without the barriers that often come with traditional retail.
“Yorkshire is home to an incredible community of makers, creators and food businesses, and our goal is to provide a platform where they can grow, connect with new customers and thrive. We're delighted to be launching our flagship venue at the Merrion Centre and look forward to building a destination that champions local talent and entrepreneurship."
Charles Newman, asset management director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of The Merrion Centre, said: "What makes the Merrion Centre different is the breadth and character of our occupier mix. We've always championed businesses that bring something unique to the city centre, creating a destination that offers visitors experiences they won't find elsewhere on the high street."
You can find out more about Leeds' new Mini Mall here.
Georgina Pellant -
4th May 2021 
