21 June 2019

The hunt for the bears is on

Knitted bears have been hidden by Live Life Aberdeenshire Libraries to mark the 30th anniversary of the publication of children’s classic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. 

Children and those who are young at heart can hunt the bears, which have been hidden all over Aberdeenshire, from the start of the summer holidays on Saturday, July 6. 

Families are being asked to pick up a card from their local library before venturing out to find the hidden bears. Once the bears have been discovered, mark on the card where they have been retrieved and their colour. But please don’t remove them as others will want to find them too. Then hand the card back to the library staff, where you will get a small prize. You will then be entered into a prize draw and the lucky winner and their family will help donate the bears to the emergency services.

Live Life Aberdeenshire Library Knit and Natter groups are playing their part too. They have made over 200 knitted ‘trauma’ bears which will be donated to the emergency services once the hunt is complete. The emergency services give ‘trauma’ bears to children who have gone through a tragic experience. 

Cllr Anne Stirling, Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee chair, said: “This is a really innovative way of marking the anniversary of this well-known children’s book by Michael Rosen. I would like to wish the best of luck to all those who take part.” 

David Cook, Aberdeenshire Council’s Culture and Sport Sub-Committee chair said: “It is very touching that the Live Life Aberdeenshire Library Knit and Natter groups have supported the emergency services by donating knitted trauma bears. I would like to thank them for their kind endeavours.”