The Puppet Company has always been about creativity and kindness. And, they’ve put loads of both into a new sock puppet created especially for charity.
Its name is Hope. And you’d be forgiven for thinking that’s exactly what it’s filled with.
That’s because this special ‘Sockette’ puppet was created to honour the legacy of Peter, one of The Puppet Company’s founders and to bring hope to those affected by brain tumours.
In this blog we’ll take a look at the story and the family behind The Puppet Company. We’ll also discuss the brain tumour diagnosis that inspired the creation of the Hope Sockette.
Who is The Puppet Company?
If you’ve done any toy shopping in the last couple of decades, you might have come across The Puppet Company.
Having been in business for over 20 years, this gift and toy retailer has found the perfect balance of delivering high-quality accessible products and inspiring imaginative play.
In 2017, the brand introduced Wilberry Toys, which specialises in beautiful plush toys. Together, these companies fulfil the brand’s mission of promoting creative play in children and adults alike, and bringing smiles to people’s faces.
But, for all its success, The Puppet Company is still completely in touch with its wholesome, family-run roots.
The company was founded at a kitchen table by a couple of former teachers, husband and wife team Peter and Sue Lockey.
Their educational background inspired the company’s ethos of teaching through creativity and imaginative play. And, they made sure that creativity and kindness stayed at its heart.
In keeping with its family-run values, The Puppet Company now continues to be run by Sue, supported by their children Sam, Katy, Joe and Hannah alongside their wider Puppet family.
About Hope, the sock puppet designed for charity
The Puppet Company’s motto is, ‘Have a puppet – have fun!’
But, even a company built on fun, and with smiles at its core, can fall victim to tragedy.
In 2021, Peter Lockey, co-founder of the company, husband to Sue and loving father to Sam, Katy, Joe and Hannah, was lost to a glioblastoma brain tumour after a six month battle.
This is a highly aggressive type of brain tumour. And, sadly, it’s the most common brain tumour in adults.
The family wanted to honour Peter and at the same time find a way to give hope to others affected by brain tumours.
Determined to use their experience to help others, they created the Hope puppet.
Part of their much-loved Sockette collection, which was originally dreamt up by Peter, this sock puppet was designed especially for our charity as a way to continue Peter’s legacy of doing good in the world.
That’s why Hope is more than a sock puppet. It’s a beacon that represents the hope that we can find cures for brain tumours. It’s a symbol of love and resilience. And, it’s a manifestation of the power of community.
It’s also a way of helping Katy and Joe’s children have a bond with their grandfather, who they never got to meet.
For The Brain Tumour Charity, the Hope Sockette is extra special. Not only does it feature our colours, but for each one sold, The Puppet Company donates £1 to helping us fund potentially life-saving research and offer support to those affected by brain tumours.
Where to buy the Hope sock puppet?
The Hope Sockette is available on The Puppet Company (wholesale), Amazon shopfront and retail site Puppets by Post, and will soon be available in retailers in the UK, the US and beyond.
And, you can find it on The Brain Tumour Charity’s online shop as well.