7th February 2008
National charity Action Medical Research is planning its biggest ever Bring Your Bear fundraising event this June and is inviting primary schools and nurseries across the UK to join in and celebrate charity mascot Paddington Bear’s 50th anniversary.
Bring Your Bear is an annual event that raises vital funds for the charity’s Touching Tiny Lives campaign to help sick and vulnerable babies. The idea is very simple and it’s easy for schools and nurseries to take part on any day in June that’s convenient for them. Each child is asked to make a £1 donation and in return they can bring their teddy bear or a favourite soft toy into class for the day.
This year’s event also has a fun new twist for school-aged children, Paddington’s Suitcase Challenge, a creative sponsored challenge. It adds an element of skill and a bit of healthy competition. Youngsters will need to use their creative skills to decorate a large matchbox in the style of Paddington’s iconic suitcase. They will then need to try and fit as many different items as possible into their miniature cases, with friends and family sponsoring them for each item they successfully manage to squeeze in.
Bring Your Bear Event Manager, Lizzy Chapman, says: “Many schools and nurseries chose to create a whole day of fundraising activity around Bring Your Bear and every year we get fantastic feedback from those who take part. This year we’re aiming to raise more money than ever before. Not only will this be a great way of marking our loyal mascot Paddington’s 50th anniversary, but if we achieve our target we could potentially fund an entire three-year Touching Tiny Lives research project with the money raised, helping to give more babies the best possible start in life.”
Last year’s event raised more than £86,000, which is funding work to help prevent life-threatening pregnancy complications and reduce premature births.
Once a school or nursery registers, they receive a free fundraising pack with educational resources to support their day.
Every school or nursery that takes part receives a personalised certificate to recognise their achievement and the ten fundraisers that raise the most in 2008 will receive a visit from the famous bear himself, when he will present an extra special library set of all his books, including an exclusive signed edition of the brand new title ‘Here and Now’, to be published in June.
To register, visit www.action.org.uk/byb or call 01403 210406.
The Bear Facts
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Print quality photographs of the fundraising pack and Paddington are available to download at: http://www.action.org.uk/news_media/images/bring_your_bear_example_pack_08.jpg http://www.action.org.uk/news_media/images/paddington_inside.jpg
For more information please contact: Clare Coleman, Press & PR Officer Tel: 01403 327480 Email: ccoleman@action.org.uk
For more information please contact the Action Medical Research press office
Debbie Broadhurst — Director of Communications
Tel: 01403 327423
Email: dbroadhurst@action.org.uk
Joanna Gilham — Press Manager
Tel: 01403 327493
Email: jgilham@action.org.uk
Patrick Olszowski — Campaigns Manager
Tel: 01403 327404
Email: patrick@action.org.uk
Action Medical Research is a national charity, which is dedicated to building a healthier future for everyone. The Charity is funding research into many serious diseases and conditions, including premature birth, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, osteoporosis blindness, inflammatory bowel disease and stroke.
Action Medical Research has been supporting/funding breakthroughs for over 50 years, and its life-saving work benefits babies, children and adults. The Charity's successes include helping develop the UK polio vaccine, ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, the hip replacement operation, and discovering the link between taking folic acid during pregnancy and preventing spina bifida.
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