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Donovan's teddy bear helping terminally ill kids

A cuddly bear signed by former Neighbours heartthrob Jason Donovan is up for grabs on an online charity auction site to raise money for the Demelza House Children’s Hospice.

Bidding for the bear, which the 90s pop sensation named Jemzach, after his children Jemma and Zach, started on Wednesday.

Jason, famed for hits such as Too Many Broken Hearts, Sealed With a Kiss and duet Especially for You, recorded with Kylie Minogue, followed the likes of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Eastenders actor Shaun Williamson in signing a bear.

The bears are the brainchild of fundraiser Sue Mexter, from Gillingham.

Her website has raised more than £1,560 for the hospice to date, a figure she hopes Aussie hunk Jason will help improve upon.

Sue said: “Jason took the time to sign and name Jemzach before a book signing in London last week.

“He was extremely charming and asked about Demelza’s work. He seemed genuinely interested and was totally willing to do anything he could to help out.

“I’m just hoping Jemzach will receive a lot of bids.”

The auctions last for a minimum of six weeks and usually raise between £150 and

Donovan with his teddy
Jemzac
Williamson with his teddy

£200 for the children’s charity.

The best-selling bear so far is Kevin, signed by Hogwarts’ wizard-in-training Daniel Radcliffe, the first celebrity to back the auctions.

Sue, an account liaison consultant for a London tailoring company, said: “I was reading an article about Daniel, who was appearing in the West End play Equus at the time, nearby to where I work.

“The piece mentioned that he supported Demelza and so I thought he would be help my fundraising.

“I came up with the idea of auctioning bears because Demelza support youngsters and everyone young and old loves teddy bears."

The bears’ T-shirts are signed by each celebrity and include a certificate with a picture of them with the cuddly toy.

Sue urged bidders to get behind the auctions, saying: “It’s raising money for an excellent cause. The celebrities have all been great, giving a bit of their time and fame for charity.”

The fundraiser added that she hopes to have bears signed by makeover queens Trinny and Susannah and Jamiroquai frontman  Jay-K – sporting a miniature trademark hat - in the coming weeks.

To watch out for these bears and bid for Jemzach visit www.verypleasedtomeetyou.co.uk
This article has been reproduced with the kind permission of the yourmedway.

Article appeared in Medway Messenger on 3rd August 2007

TOP celebrities have lent their names to a woman’s charity campaign.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, broadcaster Jeremy Paxman and fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah are helping Susan Mexter, from Gillingham, to raise funds for the Demelza House children’s hospice at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, Kent.

They have each signed teddy bears which are being auctioned on the Internet. Each bear is available for a limited amount of time and the highest bidder wins.

Susan came up with the fund-raising idea while reading an article on Daniel Radcliffe’s support for Demelza House.

She said: “What’s the number one item all kids adore, apart from sweets? It has got to be soft cuddly bears. So what better way to raise money for a children’s hospice than to involve cute teddy bears.”

Susan has also obtained the autographs of Ben Nicholas from Neighbours, former EastEnder Shaun Williamson and Coronation Street favourite Eric Potts.

To bid on a bear, visit www.verypleasedtomeetyou.co.uk

The picture and article have been reproduced with the kind permission of the Medway Messenger.

Total Raised to Date
£2002.00

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We are a fund raising organisation dedicated to raising money for Children's Charities.  Our chosen charity this year is Demelza House which is based in Kent.  This charity relies solely on fund raisers and donations.  This charity receives no funding from the government.

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