The Great Teddy Bear Project

21 renowned celebrities – including Tim Peake, Joanna Lumley, Michael Bublé, Debbie Harry, Boy George and Michel Roux Jr – have all donated a pair of their own jeans to a unique project that has transformed the jeans into one of a kind denim teddy bears.

Handmade by Canterbury Bears in Kent, the bears will be sold in an online auction running for two weeks from Thursday 18 November to Thursday 2 December. Every single bear sold will support Together for Short Lives.

Organised by social enterprise Eazl, in collaboration with Canterbury Bears, The Great Teddy Bear Project features 21 uniquely crafted teddy bears, each made from a pair of jeans donated by famous names from the worlds of music, TV and OUTER SPACE.

Embroidered with the signatures of the jeans’ original owner, each bear includes unique personal touches. Tim Peake’s bear even includes a key fob that travelled with him to the International Space Station!

The 21 ‘denim donors’ are:
Sophie Ellis Bextor (singer) – Michael Bublé (singer) – Brandon Flowers (singer – The Killers) – Boy George (singer) – David Gray (singer) – Debbie Harry (singer – Blondie) – Harry Judd (musician – McFly) – Ben De Lisi (fashion designer) – Joanna Lumley (actor) – Laura Marling (singer) – Tim Peake (astronaut) – Dougie Poynter (musician – McFly) – Gary Numan (singer) – Michel Roux Jr (chef) – Phillip Schofield (TV presenter) – Ranvir Singh (TV presenter) – Joss Stone (singer) – Suggs (singer) – KT Tunstall (singer) Paul Young (singer) – Johnny Vegas (actor/comedian).

The fabulous project hero image – depicting all 21 of the denim donors – was specially created by the actor and author Charlie Higson. A limited edition print of the picture, signed by Higson, will be included in a sweepstake that will run on Charity Stars alongside the main auction. The winner of the draw will also receive one very special bear, made from off-cuts from all 21 of the jeans donated to the project.