See Bear Grylls’ teddy bear take a 100ft leap

The TV star and chief scout’s beloved possession Mickey will be among the celebrity bears taking a tumble at Wakefield Rotary Club’s Teddy Bear Parachute Jump from noon on Sunday, September 20.

The event at Clarence Park will raise money for the three Yorkshire children hospices: Forget Me Not, Martin House and Bluebell Wood.

Bear’s bear and other celebrity teddies will be sold off at the conclusion of the event to raise more funds.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls at the gathering of High Peak Scouts at Gradbach campsite

Mickey, who had his own spot on Bear’s bed has been donated by Lady Sally Grylls, on behalf of her son.

The presenter is away filming in China but whoever buys Mickey after the event will receive a signed photograph from Bear when he returns in October.

Lady Sally said: “Bear sends his good wishes and encouragement to all those helping to raise money for the children’s hospices.”

Rotarian Sheila Wainwright, who is one of the event’s organisers, was left speechless by the gift.

She said: “I just couldn’t believe it when the teddy bear arrived, especially as Bear gets so many requests to help charities. I hope that ‘Mickey’ raises a lot of money for one of the Yorkshire children’s hospices. We are extremely grateful to Bear and his family.”

TV presenters Harry Gration, Jane McDonald and Christine Talbot have also donated bears.

The celebrity bears will take their leap from Wakefield firefighters’ 100ft ladder at the start of the event. All the other public entries will follow at intervals during the afternoon.

The event has also been boosted with the arrival of Ted, who belongs to the Mayor of Wakefield, Coun June Cliffe.

Ted will be one of the first courageous bears to take the leap. The Mayor, covering Ted’s ears, said: “He doesn’t know what’s happening yet but he’s very brave.”

The show will also see girls from 4th Wakefield Brownies and Storm Mystique Cheerleaders act as “stretcher bearers”. They will carry bears to the recovery area after each completed jump.

Entry is £3 per bear and a minimum of £10 sponsorship for one of the hospices. See www.rotarywakefield.org.uk for more information about the event.