Mayor Bear helps Cambodian orphans

Travelling bear: Debra Long with her Mayor Bear and son Sam at the orphanage in Cambodia

12:00pm Saturday 1st August 2009

THE Mayor Bear has been on an inspirational trip to help children in Cambodia.

Debra Long and her son, Sam Cain, aged 16, took the Mayor of Bolton’s mascot to an orphanage in Siem Reap, where they used the bear to help teach English to children there.

The underprivileged children loved the cuddly creature so much that he ended up staying at the orphanage.

Mrs Long, from Atherton, whose son is a pupil at Canon Slade School, said: “We had a brilliant time working with the children.

“We used the bear to teach them about the clothes people wear in England. When it came time to leave we couldn’t bear to take him with us.

“We cycled to the orphanage every day. It was a very different kind of holiday, especially for Sam, but he insisted he wanted to come and he loved it.”

Before his trip, the Bolton bear stopped off at Bridge Hair Studio, in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, to get his fur trimmed.

Owner Nicola Harrison, who is selling the bears at her salon, said: “People can come in and get their hair done before they go on their holidays and get a Mayor Bear to take with them.”

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley, is selling the bears to raise money for his chosen charities and he wants owners to take them on holiday and send back a picture as proof of how far they have travelled.

The owner of the bear which has travelled furthest will be treated to a champagne reception in the Mayor’s Parlour. The bears can be bought for £8.50 by calling the Mayor’s office on 01204 331057, or by calling in at Bridge Hair Studio.

steven.thompson@ theboltonnews.co.uk