It was a busy day for charity icon Pudsey Bear on Friday as he criss-crossed Stirling raising money for the Children in Need cause.
Once again this year, veteran fundraiser Paul Ford - representing Bridge of Allan and Stirling Round Table - donned the famous suit and spread the word of the charity’s work far and wide - from the top of Dumyat to the animal enclosures at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
This year’s event also saw the return of Pudsey to some local schools and nurseries to hear about their work in supporting Children in Need - after the Covid pandemic had led to that leg being cancelled in recent years.
Initially, the plan was for Pudsey to visit only one school - St Ninians Primary - this year - but the demand for the yellow bear saw him also pop up to meet children at Little Stars Nursery and then at Allan’s Primary and Nursery.
The day started with Pudsey scaling Dumyat despite the wet and windy conditions before visiting each of the schools and finishing at the park, where Pudsey met the giraffes, zebras and meerkats.
Paul said: “The weather was pretty severe throughout the day, most children commenting Pudsey was soaking wet, but we kept going throughout Covid so we weren’t going to let any rain curtail our fundraising.
“The Justgiving page stands at £750, but ultimately the real benefit was being able to show Pudsey Bear to the wider school and nursery children of Stirling.
“Their individual efforts as coordinated by their teachers and parents show that the wider community of Stirling enthusiastically embrace Children in Need and this national fundraising day for poorly and disadvantaged children.
“We fully intend to back next year to both challenge Pudsey but also support the wider schools and nursery communities within the Stirling area.”
