Believe it or not, Ruddington’s skies are set to see the spectacle of airborne bears this month; a fun new idea for our village kids to help raise funds for others in need.
What’s thought to be the first ever ‘Teddy Bear Parachute Jump’ to be held in our village is taking place on Saturday 25th September 2021, in aid of Save the Children, and it’s hoped to get as many families involved as possible. Whether it’s Rupert, Paddington, Yogi or Pooh, all Ruddington youngsters’ bears are welcome.
There’s an update and slideshow of photos from this event below.*
Organiser Jane Piggott asks: “Is your teddy brave enough to make a parachute jump from the church tower?!”
She explains: “The idea is for children to make parachutes for their teddies or other soft toys and then bring them along on the day to register to make the jump from the tower of St Peter’s Church. There are lots of instructions available on line about making parachutes from plastic bags, fabrics or paper – the choice of material is up to you.”
It’s happening in the afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. A single jump will cost £2.00 and all further jumps will cost £1.00. All toys successfully completing the jump will receive a certificate and there will be prizes for the best parachutes.
There will also be stalls and refreshments on offer on the day, either in the church grounds or inside the church, if wet. All proceeds from the event will go to the ‘Save the Children Fund’ – which was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities. It also provides emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.
For further details beforehand you can contact Jane Piggott on 07790 295266 or email je.piggott@btinternet.com. Otherwise, just turn up with teddy and his parachute between 2.00pm & 4.00pm on Saturday 25th September 2021 to enjoy what promises to be a ‘bear-ly believable’ sight!
{Top photo “Teddy” inset courtesy of Pidley Mountain Rescue Team, Cambridgeshire}
*UPDATE MON 27th SEP 2021:
Spectators packed into the grounds of St Peter’s Church in the Saturday afternoon sunshine to witness dozens of brave Ruddington teddy bears make the leap!
Organisers are delighted to report that over £600 was raised for Save The Children. Jane Piggott says: “I’d like to thank everyone for coming along and for their generosity in raising such a good amount. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the church staff, Nikki, Mark and Mick, for the tremendous help they gave us in launching the teddies!”
Jane adds: “The variety of parachutes was amazing; it’s incredible how well a supermarket carrier bag works!”
*Our thanks to Jane and to Nikki Rowe at St Peter’s Church for these lovely photos of some of the parachuting bears and soft toys who took part…
