Elmers End’s cherished collection of hardworking teddy bears can expect new addition after families gathered to celebrate 161 years since the station opened.
Hundreds of passengers, staff and children attended the station on Wednesday, April 1st to join in on creative arts and crafts workshops, music, and of course, a teddy bear’s picnic.
But the spotlight was the announcement of the winner of the station’s “Design-a-Bear” competition. The contest invited children of Southeastern employees to submit their most creative teddy designs and received 34 colourful and imaginative entries.
Talented Erin Jessop’s illustration of a bear with pink ribbons and hearts stole the show. Erin, 12, and granddaughter of PRAC supervisor Mary Jessop, will receive a real life teddy, with its twin taking pride of place with other Elmers End’s station mascots.
Rabin Kandel, who works in sales at Southeastern said: "Thank you to everyone who participated in our design-a-bear competition. Every design was unique and beautiful, but we had to select one winner.
“It was fantastic to celebrate 161 years since Elmers End opened, and we look forward to many more serving our community.”
Elmers End Station’s bear collection began when Rabin’s son donated a teddy bear to the station to be used as a mascot for Railway Children Charity. Since then, the collection has been added to steadily by passengers and staff.
Alongside raising more than £2,000 for charity, the bears also featured in the efforts of staff to awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrating national events including the King’s coronation.
Railway 200 is a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail. It invites community, rail and other groups to get involved.
To find out more, visit: https://railway200.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
