IF you went down to Damerham Village Fair you will have had a nice surprise – teddy bears included!

Among the host of attractions on offer at the event, on July 27, was a Teddy Bear Treasure Hunt, organised by the Vale of Avon Lodge of the Freemasons.

Children of all ages were encouraged to hunt the site for hidden teddies – to be in with a chance of winning a giant teddy bear of their own.

Members of the lodge also staged a Name the Teddy game, with both activities raising money for the Teddies for the Loving Care children’s charity, which provides cuddly toys to hospitals – including in Salisbury.

Children were given the chance to win a giant teddy of their own

Master of The Lodge, Dr Mike Horswell, said: “The teddies are gratefully received by hospitals as a comfort and distraction for young patients while they are being initially assessed and then used subsequently by health professionals to explain to children the treatment that they themselves are going to receive, by first demonstrating them on teddy.”

It costs £8,000 each year to keep the project running, with The Vale of Avon able to fund £1,500 of that so far this year through fundraising activities including a Barn Dance, Quiz Night and Skittles Evening.

Anybody interested in learning more about The Vale of Avon Lodge, which meets in Ringwood, or future fundraising and social events should email vale_of_avon_social@outlook.com.