Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their Picnic!

02 June 2010

On Sunday 20th June, Fota House will play host to a huge Charity Teddy Bears Picnic, running as part of a nationwide campaign in association with Select Hotels of Ireland, with all proceeds going to children's charity, Barnardos.

Also just announced, a special guest appearance from Crystal Swing, the family of performers from Cork, who are now international stars!

For just €10 per family, kids big and small can enjoy a day of fun, on a very important day of the year - Father's Day and at the same time fundraise for a very worthy Children's Charity.

Taking place from 2pm to 5pm the event which is being organised by the Cork and Kerry members of the Select Hotels of Ireland, in the idyllic surroundings of Cork's renowned arboretum and magnificent gardens of Fota House in Cobh.

Select Hotels of Ireland which include The Celtic Ross Hotel; The Montenotte Hotel; The Trident Hotel; Actons Hotel; Midleton Park Hotel; Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort; and The Killarney Riverside Hotel promise a wonderful day of fun and entertainment.  Every child will receive a goodie bag, and families are free to explore the gardens and enjoy activities including: Let's Go Camp's Bouncy Castles, Mia the Face Painting Clown, magic with Award Winning Magician Ger Kearney; as well as meeting two life sized Teddy Bears who will be coming out of hiding from the woods to enjoy the picnic.

There will be lots of old fashioned family fun too with egg & spoon races, sack races, and a special Father & Son/Daughter race, especially for Father's Day!  For all the little princesses out there, there will be nail and face painting compliments of Makeup By Martha; and Sobe Brown will top it all off with cute princess hair styles.

Mums and Dads can join in the fun too with their very own BBQ, Mind Reading with Liam Sheehan, Magician to the Stars, and music with DJ Jonny C.  As a Father's Day treat, Dads will also get their very own special pampering as Dr Anu from the Wellness Center at the Midleton Park will be on hand to give those stressed out Dads neck & shoulder massages, and therapists from the Celtic Ross Hotel's Holistic Suite will also be on hand to showcase their range of treatments.

Speaking about the upcoming Teddy Bears Picnic, Una Young, GM of Select Hotels of Ireland said "We're really looking forward to this year's Teddy Bears Picnic and delighted to have Crystal Swing coming along to support this worthy cause. Also with all of our hotels giving their time free of charge, all the proceeds raised through the events nationwide will go directly to Barnardos.  The event was such a great success last year and we hope to make it even bigger and better this year."

Everyone who comes along will have the opportunity to "adopt" their very own Barnardos Teddy Bear. Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos said "The Teddy Bears Picnic is a novel way for families to spend a fun day together and at the same time, help other families around Ireland.  We hope that families come along for what promises to be a great day and that some decide to adopt a bear and give it a loving home!  Every bear adopted on the day will contribute to Barnardos."

Fergus added, "Over 40 Barnardos Centers are now in place in marginalised communities across Ireland. Barnardos supports families and helps to improve parenting skills and tackle issues of poverty, domestic abuse, addiction, and the impact these problems have on children. The funds we raise are vital to help us continue our work."

A mega raffle will take place at Teddys Bear Picnic with some fantastic prizes including a Family pass to the 3 Irish Open compliments of Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, plus two Golf Breaks at the Kinsale Golf Club with accommodation provided by Trident Hotel, along with many other weekend breaks from each of the select hotels.

Entry into the events nationwide costs only €10 per family and further details are available on www.selecthotels.ie or by calling (021) 4391998.