Missing: Hope, Make-A-Wish's five-foot teddy bear

Make-A-Wish Ireland is appealing for the public’s help to bring home Hope, its much-loved giant teddy bear, who went missing from the charity’s tent at this year’s Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg, Co Clare.

Hope was last seen at 7pm on Sunday, September, 13 in the Make-A-Wish tent in the Championship Village. When staff returned to pack up the tent, she was gone.

Standing around five feet tall, with soft blonde fur and brown eyes, Hope was wearing her blue Make-A-Wish T-shirt.

For around 15 years, Hope has been a familiar face at Make-A-Wish events across Ireland, welcoming children and families, offering furry hugs and helping the charity bring hope, strength and happiness to children living with critical medical conditions.

Her latest outing was to the Amgen Irish Open, where Make-A-Wish Ireland was the official charity partner. Now, the team is asking spectators, event staff, contractors and volunteers to help reunite them with a very special member of their charity family.

Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland, said: “Hope has been part of our family for around 15 years. She has travelled all over the country with us, bringing smiles and comforting hugs to children and families, and we really miss her.

“At five feet tall, she’s quite hard to overlook. If you were in the Championship Village on Sunday evening and saw Hope being moved, or know where she is now, please get in touch. Even a small detail could help us find her.

“To someone else, she might look like a giant teddy bear, but to us she is a much-loved member of the team. We would love to bring Hope home.”

The charity is particularly keen to hear from anyone who was near the Make-A-Wish tent after 7pm on Sunday, September 13,, or who helped clear the Championship Village after the tournament.

Anyone with photographs or video from that evening is also encouraged to check whether Hope appears in the background.

Anyone with information about Hope’s whereabouts is asked to contact Catherine Monaghan on 086 8333365 or Catherine@HarteMedia.ie.