If you go down to Truro today you’re sure of a big surprise, as ShelterBox has set up a teddy trail for young adventurers and map-readers that leads to the UK’s first-ever permanent disaster relief exhibition.
Successful trail followers who reach all ten locations will also will also find a gift of a picnic blanket, and the chance to win a cuddly prize worth £10.
Children can pick up the free map card in any participating store, and the trail finishes at the ShelterBox Disaster Relief Visitor Centre, where the whole family can enjoy free entry to the hands-on exhibits and interactive screens telling the story of Cornwall’s most famous international charity.
The trail runs from now until the end of October half term holiday, and nine Truro shops are taking part - Waterstones, Cornish Food Box, Inhabit, the Truro Visitor Centre, Truro Arts Café, Entertainer, the Compton Castle paddle steamer, Bambu café, and Illustrated Living in Lemon Street Market, with a teddy at each location which shares the name of a beneficiary ShelterBox has helped.
The trail winds its way to ShelterBox’s new headquarters building in Charles Street, where trailfinders and their families will have entry to the exhibition, and be given a free picnic blanket. A completed card also qualifies for free entry to a draw for one of four special ShelterBox teddies, each worth £10.
Manager Lesley-Ann Eaton-Keen said: "This will be a fun activity for young shoppers of all ages. Little ones should, of course, follow the trail with a parent. And if little legs can’t manage to trudge around all nine shops don’t worry, we’ll still be happy to greet the whole family at ShelterBox and enter you in the draw. Why not stop for some refreshments in our café too, or chat to one of our lovely volunteers about how young people and their schools can get involved in ShelterBox and help families in need around the world?
"We are very grateful to these Truro traders for taking part, and if the idea takes off, who knows? We may set up a similar event for Christmas shoppers."
The Teddy Trail runs from now until Saturday, October 28, and the draw for the prize teddies will take place on Monday, October 30.
The Visitor Centre is open from 10am to 4pm every day except Sundays, and Teddy Trail cards can be presented on any day, regardless of when the trail was followed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here