Shropshire Star

Ready, teddy, go! Cuddlies' intrepid fundraiser

Teddy bears, dogs, cats, monkeys and even a dinosaur braved the windy weather to zip wire from a church tower, in what has now become a festive tradition.

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The soft toys – waved off by owners of all ages – plunged from the tower of St Oswalds Parish Church in Oswestry, partly just for the fun of it, partly to raise money for the church.

Molly Sperring, 11, and Sam Sperring, 8, from Oswestry

Organiser Brian Rothera said: "This is the third year we have done it, the first year it was to raise money for the bells because they needed repairs, but then we got a lot of people who said they were sorry they missed it, so we put it on again and now it's a yearly thing.

"Now it's as much for fun as to raise money, really," he said, although added almost £90 had been made to go towards the upkeep of the tower and bells, more than they had expected to make.

He said: "We were a bit worried about the weather as the forecast was terrible. It was very windy so they were very brave those who went to the top of the tower. But luckily the rain held off and it wasn't cold at all. The bears negotiated challenging conditions but all came through."

The Boxing Day event is organised by the St Oswalds Parish Church bell ringers, of which Mr Rothera is the captain.

"I am lead organiser but I couldn't do it without the others who come along to make sure the tower is manned. Special mention should go to Peter Woollam who supplies all the ropes and harnesses – it's basically old climbing gear," he said.

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