Thompson Smith and Puxon proudly sponsors the Brantham Teddy Bear Parachute Challenge
On Saturday 14th September, Thompson Smith and Puxon had the pleasure of supporting one of the most heart-warming events of the year – the Brantham Teddy Bear Parachute Challenge – hosted annually at St. Michael’s Church. This event has become a beloved tradition for the local community, bringing together families, friends and the youngest (and fluffiest) residents of Brantham for a day of fun.
Each year, the Teddy Bear Parachute Challenge invites brave little teddy bears to take flight, soaring from the top of the St. Michael’s tower using parachutes crafted by local children, parents and school groups. It’s a day filled with excitement, laughter and a bit of healthy competition as participants showcase their artistic abilities by fashioning parachutes for their cuddly companions.
With a chilly but bright start to the morning, spirits were high as families gathered at St. Michael’s. For those who didn’t turn up armed with parachutes of all shapes, sizes and designs, parachutes could be made on site at the “parachute manufacturing shop” set up by the church, where children could create their own pieces on the day. Equipped with craft materials including paper, string and fabric, the little ones put their creative skills to the test, constructing parachutes for their own brave teddies to take on the challenge. From colourful hand-painted canopies to more elaborate contraptions made from recycled materials, the creativity on display was a testament to the power of imagination.
In first place was Tiny Tim with a winning time of 35 seconds, in second place was Ammy at 23 seconds and in third place at 22 seconds was Paddington, who had taken some time off of the film set to participate in the parachuting fun. But the busy bears weren’t the only attraction to enjoy, with a raffle offering a variety of wonderful prizes donated by generous parishioners also attracting attention.
The TSP team (represented by trainees Anisa Khan and Sahrish Nadim, Marketing Assistant Francesca Jenner and Operations Assistant Catherine Yuill) were thrilled to be a part of the event. Team TSP manned our marquee and stayed busy throughout the morning handing out TSP teddy bear keyrings to their new owners – tiny keepsakes to take home as a memento of the day’s festivities.
As always, the event had a deeper purpose beyond the fun and games, with all proceeds from the day going towards supporting St. Michael’s Church. This year, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, the event successfully raised £800, a fantastic contribution that will go a long way in helping the church continue its valuable work in the community. The TSP team is incredibly proud to have played a part in this event (which had the best attendance to date) and we’re already looking forward to next year’s festivity.
