Teddy bear adoption drive at charity shops

A long-standing volunteer at a charity shop has made it her personal mission to ensure every teddy bear finds a home for Christmas.

Mary Peto, 71, has been telling customers at the St Margaret's Hospice shop in Langport, Somerset, "no bear will spend Christmas alone".

Her initiative has spread to all 31 shops in the charity's chain, which are now on a collective mission to rehome their bears of all shapes, sizes and colours.

"With their little faces looking out from the shelves, I can't bear to think of them left behind," Ms Peto said. "I always tell customers, 'We can't let this bear spend Christmas alone, he needs a home'."

Ms Peto estimates that 70 soft toys have been sold so far.

"It's not just teddy bears, we've branched out to bears and their friends. There's been the odd snowman and odd reindeer sold as well.

"It's a really good thing, this is giving life to second-hand toys."

Children - and adults if they wish - get an adoption certificate which can be coloured in at home when they adopt a teddy bear.

Ms Peto, who has volunteered at the Langport St Margaret's shop since she relocated from Surrey to Somerset 20 years ago, said: "Choosing pre-loved gifts like teddy bears isn't just about saving money.

"It's about making a difference – for the planet and for your community.

"Every pound spent in a St Margaret's shop helps ensure the hospice can continue providing free, specialist hospice care across Somerset."

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