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| Shirley Clarkson, the very first maker of Paddington soft toys, has donated one of her earliest Paddingtons to go under the hammer at a charity ball and auction on the 15th of March at the Savoy Hotel, London.
The Anniversary Ball is being organised to help raise funds for LEPRA, a medical development charity that works in the developing world, fighting life threatening disease and serious illness including HIV/AIDS, leprosy, TB and malaria.
 The bear, shown on the right, was one of the very first to be made in 1972 and is a fine example of the famous Gabrielle Designs edition of Paddington. He stands at 17 inches in height in his full regalia of duffle coat with wooden buttons, original blue Dunlop Wellingtons and his grey signature hat. And of course, he comes with his label bearing the immortal words: “Please Look After This Bear. Thank You”.
The evening will be graced by the attendance of HRH Princess Michael of Kent with celebrity master of ceremonies Mr Stephen Fry orchestrating the evening. For £150 per head, guests will enjoy a sumptuous four course meal with fine wines and champagne and the opportunity to dance away the night to the British Philharmonic Orchestra’s dance band.
Avid collectors can place a bid for the bear either in person at the ball, or by making a pre-auction bid with the charity. Details of the event can be found on the charity’s website at www.lepra.org.uk or by contacting LEPRA’s Events Fundraiser, Allie Hogsbjerg Tel: 01206 216721.
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Bear up for Auction
