Ready 'teddy' go for Mullion church funds as toys make leap of faith: PICTURES

They were taking part in a fundraising event in aid of St Mellanus Church, now in its fifth year. The 81 teddies and other selected toys were encouraged over the edge by Godfrey Bray, at the top of the tower.

Each brave toy was given a parachute to wear, however – a supermarket shopping bag in the main, although some that had been before came equipped with special ’chutes.

Waiting at the bottom were their owners, shouting encouragement, together with Rob and Mary Druce who rounded up the jumpers.

Every jump was timed and the owner whose toy took the longest to return to ground was declared the winner. This year that title went to Rhiannon and her toy monkey.

Although four got blown off course, into trees, they were duly rescued when someone was dispatched with a long pole.

Organiser Mary Druce said: “We were amazed to get it done, because it was rainy and blowing and horrid, but we did it.”

She thanked all the committee that made the day come together.

The event raised £213 for the church, through the teddy parachuting and other events alongside it, including a cake sale and “bear” face painting, making the owners look like their toys.

It is held each year to coincide with the village’s scarecrow festival, with the church on the route for the scarecrow trail, in a bid to attract maximum numbers of visitors.