The bear is the mascot of the annual television appeal and Doreen Edwards, of Stanton Close, has knitted 30 miniature bears to be sold at the Exeter Street practice.

Mrs Edwards said: "I've been doing it for eight years, about 20-30 bears a year. It's just my contribution.

"I've always loved knitting and began by knitting a few dolls for my own children. It just grew from there."

The nifty knitter added: "I can normally do two Pudseys a night. I use the Hereward Group Practice so it seemed the obvious place to sell the bears."

The teddies cost £2 for a large bear and £1.50 for a small one and have helped the practice raise thousands of pounds over the years.

Practice manager Bob Brown said the medical centre has been fundraising for Children in Need for more than ten years.

Mr Brown said: "We've raised over £30,000 altogether. In our best year we managed £4,300.

"Some of the events have been a bit different – from auctioning appointments, with patients' consent of course, to a 'fill a urine pot' competition. We only accepted pots filled with coins however.

"All the money we have raised is down to the generosity of our patients and the hard work of people like Doreen Edwards."

A running team from the practice also completed a sponsored run at Bourne Wood on Wednesday.

Tell us what you are doing for Children in Need. Call a reporter on 01778 425876 or email your news and pictures to news@ bournelocal.co.uk.