A one-of-a-kind teddy bear is up for a grabs in the second raffle being run by a couple touched by prostate cancer.
John Wycherley is recovering after having his prostate removed and his wife Jeannie’s dad was diagnosed with the condition in 2015.
The Sidmouth Gifts owners held a teddy bears’ picnic and sold off dozens of donated cuddly toys to net more than £800 that year, and now they hope to replicate that success.
John said: “Last time, we asked for donations of hand-knitted or crocheted teddy bears, and the response from the Sidmouth community was overwhelming.
“We eventually received bears from people all over the UK, including a number of vintage bears.
“We keep our donated bears in a special cabinet by the desk and customers donate money when they adopt a bear.
“We’re happy to accept donations of handmade bears, and bears in good, clean condition.”
The bears have continued to sell over the past two years and the total donated has reached more then £1,750.
The raffle prizes this time are a large turtle named Petal donated by Suki, a VW cushion knitted in Prostate Cancer UK colours by Jeannie’s mum, Carole, and a Haven Bear named Deene.
Jeannie said: “He’s really tiny, stands just six inches tall, and has been specially made for us by Alison Beal of Haven Bears.
“As with all Haven Bears he’s collectible and a complete one-off, there are never any duplicates. He should retail at £80, so this is a lovely prize for someone.”
John and Jeannie have endeavoured to raise awareness of prostate cancer since the diagnoses and they have free pocket guides in their Old Fore Street shop.
One in eight men will suffer with the disease, but many men still don’t know the signs and symptoms. If it is caught early enough, it is survivable.
Raffle tickets are on sale in the shop for £1 each, and the draw will take place on Saturday, September 23. All proceeds will go to Prostate Cancer UK.
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