Out and about

Ready, teddy, go!

Pidley's Teddy Bear Freefall - Saturday 5th September 2009

Watch out for flying teddy bears in Pidley this September, as the Pidley Mountain Rescue Team host the 7th International Teddy Bear Parachute Jump Competition!

Once again, ten brave teddies will be hurling themselves from a plane in an attempt to land as close as they can to a mark, all in the name of charity of course!

The bears prepare for another jump!

Each bear will be sponsored by a local company and money raised on the day will go to help people with disabilities and special needs in the community.

The teddy bear parachutists will be jumping, one at a time, from a Cessna 172 aircraft owned by Cambridge Aero Club. The pilot Alan Rosser, an ex-RAF instructor and test pilot for Marshall's with his co-pilot Martyn Brown will hold the aircraft steady as the teddy bears jump from several hundred feet up!

A practise jump goes wrong!

Unfortunately the event didn't happen last year and the bears, who are out of practise, have been in training in the last few weeks... As you can see, it's not been going too well but the bears are sure that all will be fine for the big jump!

The 1st Somersham Brownies will be the stretcher 'bear'ers for the day, and first responders will be on hand for the more 'serious' injuries!

The Town Mayor of St Ives, Councillor Brian Lutter, will open the event officially at 10am and the fun will start with a teddy bear breakfast picnic with yummy food and drink stalls.

Brownies look after injured teddies!

After the parachute jump a best-dressed bear competition will be held with rosettes for first, second and third place.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Jane Smith will be the judge and make the presentations... so bring your teddy with you!

Gates will open at 9.30am and everybody is welcome (don't forget your teddy bears!). Entry is free but donations will be gratefully received.

Gates open 9.30am
Official opening by St Ives Mayor at 10am
Teddy Bear Breakfast 10 - 10.30am
Teddy Parachute Jump 10.30 - 11am
Best-dressed Teddy 11 - 11.30am

The event takes place on Saturday 5th September at Rookery Waters Fishing Lakes, Pidley - and will be well sign-posted from Pidley centre.

More about Pidley Mountain Rescue Team

Founded 36 years ago, you might be surprised to discover that PMR does not actually participate in mountain rescue of any kind. It has never even rescued anyone from a hillock, nor a small mound. It does, however, raise money for disabled people in the community. Its aim is to provide equipment desperately needed by local people, which they would otherwise be unable to obtain out of public funds.