Could you bear to make a bid? (From Gazette Series)

Could you bear to make a bid?

A SET of well-travelled teddy bears are the star lots at a church auction to raise money for a much-needed redevelopment project.

In January, Cam Methodist Church launched a Teddy Bear Safari to raise money to pay for the upgrading of the toilets, kitchen and community area of the church.

The project will cost around £58,000 to complete and to date a total of £21,000 has been raised. It is hoped that the auction will push the figure up.

Church treasurer Jill Brown said: "A small bear, named Wesley was taken as far round the world as possible. He was sponsored on his journeys by members of the church and others and his travels were followed with great enthusiasm.

"He began by travelling to Thailand and has visited 11 other countries during the year including India, China and Greece."

Due to the success of the safari bear, the church launched another teddy bear when Wesley couldn't fulfil all his engagements and Pilgrim began his journey at Easter.

Mrs Brown added: "Pilgrim was encouraged to visit as many holy places as possible and having been introduced at Easter, he quickly travelled to Palestine to visit the holy sites in Jerusalem and then on to Japan and South Korea. A trip to Poland was particularly memorable with his visit to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. He also completed the recent pilgrimage to Santiago."

Wesley and Pilgrim's adventures have now come to an end and their momentoes and photographs from their trips will be part of the Auction for Love the church is holding on Saturday, December 3. Lots for younger people will be sold first (4.30pm), with the safari bear auction later in the proceedings (6.30pm).

Other items for the auction, which will presided over by BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Richard Atkins, have been donated by local businesses including meals at The Kings Head, Old Spot and The New Inn.

Mrs Brown added: "We hope that all those who have been involved in the safari and many others will come to enjoy the evening."