A teddy bear might seem like a small gift to most people, but for a child escaping domestic violence or stuck in hospital for weeks on end, it can have a profound impact.
That's the mission behind the Canberra Brave's inaugural "Teddy Bear Toss" initiative.
The spectacle, which is a regular feature at US and Canadian ice hockey stadiums overseas, will see Brave fans at AIS Arena on Sunday afternoon throw stuffed animal toys onto the ice after the first goal from the home team.
The Brave's game against the Sydney Bears - yes, really - will be halted momentarily after the toss as volunteers collect the toys from the ice to then be donated to Barnardos Canberra, Roundabout Canberra and the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
The teddy bears will support children in foster care, families experiencing hardship and young patients receiving treatment at hospital.
"These things genuinely bring joy to families in really difficult situations all the time," Roundabout founder Hannah Andrevski said.
"We hear lovely stories about kids opening up a toy pack and pulling out a brand-new item, and showing it to the social worker, showing it to their mum.
"A snuggly teddy bear is something that every child is very happy to receive, and for a lot of the families that we're supporting, many have escaped domestic violence and may have left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
"There are others who are going through a really tough time financially, particularly with the cost-of-living pressures that are affecting so many at the moment."
Andrevski said following events like the Teddy Bear Toss that promote the important work they do in the community there is a valuable rise in donations, and with winter hitting many families hard, the timing couldn't be better.
"We've seen a 25 per cent increase in need so far this year, compared to last year when we helped 5500 kids," she said.
"We really value that opportunity to connect with the community, and for them to think of us when they're doing those cleanouts and passing on pre-loved items."
Brave players will be hand-delivering the toys to the Canberra Hospital next week, and there is fierce competition among the ice hockey team to score the first goal to kick off the toss.
Brave boss Stephen Campbell gave some advice to those attending the game on Sunday to get there early for the 19th consecutive sellout at the AIS Arena, and also warm up their throwing arm for the first-ever '\Teddy Bear Toss'\.
"I'd recommend people aim high to clear the nets and make that teddy bear hit the ice," Campbell said.
"And for those who are sitting in the VIP area, cover your drinks and food!
"There will also be volunteers and AIS staff around the arena that can collect bears that don't make it onto the ice during the stoppage."
The Johannessen Foundation partnered with the Brave to facilitate the teddy bear donation at the game and urged supporters to gift new bears.
"I would love Brave fans to know that these bears are going directly to kids in our community who actually need just that little bit of a reminder that they're cared for," foundation director Pierre Johannessen said.
"Sometimes it doesn't take a lot to find comfort."
Sunday: Canberra Brave v Sydney Bears at AIS Arena, 1.45pm
