Could you give one of these cute and cuddly teddies a home?

Home-Start South East Dorset is asking businesses to give a bear a place to call home and help raise money for families in need across Dorset.

Each organisation that takes part receives a teddy and a poster with 100 names on it.

Customers can donate and guess the name of the teddy.

Once all 100 names are filled, the name is revealed and the teddy sent home to its lucky winner.

The first business to support the campaign and display a teddy in store – as well as create an impressive window display – is Gullivers Bookshop in Wimborne.

The Angel family own and run both Gullivers Bookshop, and Westbourne Bookshop, with three generations of the Angel family working as booksellers.

Paul Angel said: “As a family business, we know just how important family is.

“We are delighted to take part in this campaign and help Home-Start raise much-needed funds for families that need help right here in Wimborne and further across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”

Caroline Pope, Community & Corporate Engagement Manager, Home-Start South East Dorset, pictured left, said: “Our beautiful Home-Start bears are a simple and easy way for businesses to get involved and help raise money to support families in our local community.

“The coronavirus pandemic has placed even greater strain on families who were already isolated, facing hardship, abuse, disability and mental health challenges.

“Our team of volunteers work one-to-one and in groups to support these local families through crises and provide the support they need.”

Home-Start South East Dorset supports families living across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as the Purbecks and areas as far north as Cranborne and as far west as Wareham.

Since 1995 it has helped more than 3,500 local families and supported over 10,000 children through a network of over 600 volunteers.

A local mum who was helped by Home-Start said: “I suffer from a range of mental health issues and my Home-Start volunteer was a godsend to me.

“She helped me to stop worrying and to live life in the moment.

“She helped me to attend play groups and allow my son to interact with other children, which I would never been able to do myself.”

It costs Home-Start South East Dorset approximately £33.25 per week to support a family with specialist one-to-one volunteer support.

• If you can help by giving a teddy a home and raising funds in your local community, please contact Caroline Pope at caroline@homestartsoutheastdorset.org.uk or telephone 01202 574877. You can also donate to Home-Start or find out more about accessing help by visiting homestartsoutheastdorset.org.uk.