A Bear Named Buttony was inspired by Eilidh Gow’s personal journey growing up with a stoma. In 2000, after receiving her first stoma, a family friend gave her a special bear with a button placed where her stoma was, sparking the idea that would one day become Buttony.

Years later, once life had become a bit more settled, Eilidh’s mum, Jenny, teamed up with a group of dedicated friends to recreate that special bear for others going through similar experiences. The project found strong support in Buttony’s home village of Ballater, Aberdeenshire, where locals generously contributed both time and funding to help it grow. Today, many of our volunteers still live in the area and the Gow family home has now become the heart of the charity.

What We Do and Why

A woman with short brown hair sitting next to a young girl with blonde hair, both smiling, inside a room with patterned curtains and a sofa.
A plush teddy bear with curly tan fur, a red ribbon around its neck, sitting on a wooden surface.
A young girl with blond hair sitting on a leather couch, smiling and holding a piece of fried chicken, with a newspaper on her side.

Our Resources

Buttony Bear

At the heart of our charity are the Buttony Bears. Soft, cuddly teddy bears with a unique feature: a button stoma, just like the children who receive them. These special bears are designed to offer comfort, familiarity, and a way for young people to better understand and talk about their stoma in a gentle, age appropriate way.

Each bear’s stoma is hand sewn with care by our wonderful volunteers and is sent out free of charge to children across the UK who are living with a stoma. For many, their Buttony Bear becomes a friend, a tool for learning, and a reminder that they’re not alone.

These bears are more than just toys, they’re special just like you!

Four teddy bears with cream-colored fur sitting on a wooden bench, each with a tag attached to their paw.
Children's children's book titled "A Friend Just Like Me" with an illustrated bear with a pink nose, standing on its hind legs on a pink surface, on a blue background.

A Friend Just Like Me

I believe in the power of stories, they bring light to darkness and remind us we’re not alone. As a children’s psychologist, I’ve seen this magic with my own kids and through the therapeutic tales I create.

Nearly a decade ago, a stoma nurse introduced Buttony to our family. This little bear seemed full of adventures, and I wondered about his journey to our hospital bay. Watching my children care for and love him deepened my curiosity.

I drafted a story capturing Buttony’s spirit and shared it with A Bear Named Buttony’s trustees. They loved it, had it professionally printed, and sent it to every family receiving a bear. Georgina Croll’s enchanting illustrations brought Buttony to life. Hearing how his story has touched so many lives has been a joy, and I like to think of all the adventures he’s still having with loving families everywhere.

Kathryn Bradley, Author

Four stuffed animals (a cat, a dog, a rabbit, and a fox) surrounding a children's book titled "Nothing Can Stop Bear Now" that features illustrated animals on the cover. The animals and book are lying on grass.

Nothing Can Stop Bear Now

"My older sister Eilidh has a stoma and growing up she felt scared to tell her friends and peers at school about it because she was worried about how they might react. I wrote 'Nothing Can Stop Bear Now' for kids like Eilidh. I wanted it to be a tool for helping children to feel more comfortable talking about their stoma and to spread positive awareness. To let these kids know that it is okay if people ask questions and that it just means they are curious and want to understand! 'Nothing Can Stop Bear Now' tells the story of Bear coming home from hospital with his stoma and his best friend Bunny asking how it works. It includes a simple explanation for kids to understand and shows how it has helped Bear to feel better and be able to play and go on fun adventures again!"

Louise Gow, Author 

Child coloring a black and white drawing of a girl with curly hair jumping on a trampoline, with a big tree and fruit in the background.

Buttony Colouring Book

Our Buttony colouring books are a fun and creative way to help children understand life with a stoma. Packed with engaging illustrations and positive messages, these books feature Buttony Bear on various adventures, showing bravery, kindness, and confidence along the way.

Whether used at home, in hospital, or at school, the colouring books provide a gentle way to start conversations, reduce anxiety, and help children feel more comfortable with their own experiences. They’re also a great resource for siblings, classmates, and friends to learn and build empathy.

Hanging blue and gray backpack with various items inside and attached notes, set outdoors with blurred purple flowers and greenery in the background.

Young Adult Packs

As part of our mission to support people living with a stoma, A Bear Named Buttony also provides specially designed Young Adult Packs. These packs are tailored for young people aged 16–25 and are filled with practical items, comfort essentials, and a few thoughtful extras to make life with a stoma a little easier.

Each pack includes a high quality washbag filled with useful products, as well as information and resources to help young adults feel supported and less alone on their journey.

We know that adjusting to life with a stoma can be challenging, especially in your teens and twenties. These packs are our way of saying: you’re not alone.

A plush teddy bear holding a card that features an image of a human-like butt with a small pink circle on the tip, labeled 'A Bear Named Buttony'.

Stoma Models

Alongside our cuddly Buttony Bears, we provide paediatric nurses with realistic stoma models to support children and families facing stoma surgery. These models are a gentle, practical teaching tool, helping nurses explain what a stoma is, how it works, and how to care for it. By giving children and parents the chance to see and handle a model before or after surgery, we aim to reduce fear, build confidence, and make stoma care feel less overwhelming.

Two printed sheets titled 'Buttony's Bear Drive' featuring a teddy bear illustration, with six boxes for counting Lego pieces, dice, and a QR code at the bottom, all placed on a wooden surface.

Buttony’s Bear Drive

To make hospital stays a little brighter, we also gift every paediatric centre a Buttony’s Bear Drive Game. This fun, easy to play game offers a welcome distraction during treatment and recovery.