BRAVE teddy bears will be parachuting off the tower of All Saints Church, Okehampton, on Saturday, March 11, to raise money for the primary school PTFA and church refurbishment fund. The event is open to stuffed animals of all kinds. Parachutes will be provided and all teddies will receive training in advance of their jump from Flt Lt Philip Mingham, RAF. If any bear should suffer a hard landing help will be on hand in the form of a first aid tent manned by doctors and nurses from Okehampton surgery, equipped with the latest in needles, thread and mini bandages. Anyone whose bear is brave enough to take part can get a sponsor form from the school or the church. It is not necessary to register in advance and there is no minimum sponsorship required, but entrants are asked to enter as fully as possible into the spirit of the occasion. There will be prizes for the best dressed bear, the bravest bear and the bear with the most sponsorship. All entrants will receive a badge and a certificate. Rector of Okehampton, the Rev Stephen Cook, said: ?We are really looking forward to this event, which is a first for us and should be a really fun occasion. ?The PTFA is always looking for ways to raise funds to benefit all the children at the school and the church has a big project on at the moment to make the building more accessible and flexible in its use. ?Sponsor money will be split equally between the two causes.? Participants and onlookers alike are welcome to the event, which begins at 11am. It will take place whatever the weather and will also include stalls and refreshments.
