Dudu Busani

Dudu Busani

A hundred sick children at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital will spend Christmas with new friends - cute fluffy teddy bears.

Khomanani Investigations, a Johannesburg-based security company, visited pediatric and maternity wards at the hospital on Friday to donate teddy bears and give lectures to children about safety.

Khomanani's marketing manager, Ashford Sithole, said the idea was to teach children about friendship and caring.

"Having a friend that won't leave their side gives a child some kind of security, especially when they are lying in hospital. At least they can hug their teddy bears at night, and that way they won't feel alone," said Sithole.

The company has also volunteered to do 20 hours of community work at the hospital every year.

"We have offered to provide the hospital with services that relate to our line of work," he said.

Children who will be born at the hospital on Christmas Day and New Year's Day will also be given teddy bears.