Calling all fearless teddies

8:22am Thursday 21st June 2007

BRAVE teddy bears are being asked to step up to the challenge of leaping 100 foot from the top of a church tower.

All Saints Parish Church in High Wycombe is holding its annual summer fete fundraiser and this year's star attraction is the teddy bear jump.

“We want everybody to bring their teddy bears or a soft toy and we’ll harness them and they’ll abseil down the rope. It’s really very exciting.”

Cynthia Skingley

Any plucky Paddingtons or Poohs can help bring in the cash by taking the plunge and abseiling from the 108 foot high tower into the churchyard in Castle Street.

The adrenalin-seeking teddies will get strapped into a harness and whizz down the rope while expectant crowds look on, and all of them will be presented with a certificate when they reach the bottom to mark their daring.

The jump is open to all soft toys and organisers are promising their owners they will come to no harm as this daredevil stunt has been held before in the church grounds.

Cynthia Skingley, who is in charge of 2007's teddy bear jump, said: "We had one in 1993, which was very popular so we decided we'd like a themed event this time.

"We want everybody to bring their teddy bears or a soft toy and we'll harness them and they'll abseil down the rope. It's really very exciting."

The big day will be opened by Olympic gold medallist Robin Cousins and there will be many other attractions for courageous toys and their owners to enjoy.

Hungry bears can treat themselves to a pot of honey or marmalade from the Bledlow-based Parslow Apiaries stall and any youngsters in need of a new plush friend could win a Steiff teddy bear in the raffle.

Other attractions include face painting, tombolas, plant and china stalls, a craft table to paint teddies, an organ recital, steel band and children's games. Pimms will be on sale for older visitors and everyone can tuck into a portion of strawberries and cream.

And in the true spirit of a teddy bears' picnic, All Saints Reverend Nicky Skipworth will hold a story time session for children and their furry friends.

The jump runs from 9.30am until 3.30pm on Saturday, July 7, but youngsters can get involved in the fun before then by entering an arty competition with a teddy bear twist.

Primary school children are invited to paint or draw a picture of a teddy and all the entries will be displayed at the fete.

For more information about the fete or competition call Cynthia on 01494 531377 or Deborah Wright on 01494 537262.

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