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DOZENS of teddy bears donated to the Royal Children's Hospital will help bring comfort to children in their most vulnerable times.
Courtney Keast's mum Jodie asked community members to bring teddy bears to her daughter's funeral - to be cuddled by her friends during the service and later donated to the hospital.
She said it was heartening to collect the teddy bears and know they were going to help other children in need.
Courtney spent several days in the Royal Children's Hospital following a boating incident at Lake Eppalock in January this year; on January 13 she lost the fight.
She had her favourite pooh bear by her side - something that brought her and her mum great comfort.
Her family are now picking up the pieces and getting ready to move into a new house in Kyneton that was being built at the time of Courtney's death.
Ms Keast said the community support had been overwhelming - but she was not ready to move into the new house just yet.
"Nothing anyone says or does makes a difference but they want to help because she touched so many people," Ms Keast said.
"We've had community working bees at the new house and people have done so much. It's overwhelming," she said.
"I look at it and it's double edged. I appreciate it but we only got it because we lost Courtney.
"Before the incident, I didn't know how I was going to get everything done. But I would do anything to go back and tell Courtney she couldn't go that day.
"I'd rather the big pile of rocks."
The teddies will be given to the hospital next week.