Dressing up adventures of Sheffield teddy bear helps to raise more than £1,000 for the NHS

Alfiebear belongs to the Stones family who live on Green Oak Avenue in Totley.

Mum Hayley, dad Michael and their two sons Alfie, aged eight, and Harry, aged six, were inspired to dress up Alfiebear when they saw teddies in windows while on a walk.

So far, they have dressed him up in 16 different costumes including Spider-Man, Colonel Tom Moore on his 100th birthday, a cowboy, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Bear Grylls and a rock star.

The displays became so popular they decided to use it as a way to raise money for the NHS and in just two weeks they have already managed to raise more than £1,000.

Hayley said: “The main thing for us as a family is just to really cheer people up and it seems to have done that.

“It’s brought a lot of smiles to people’s faces which has been lovely.

“Little kids come past and they chat to him every day. It’s been really nice.

“We just thought it would be a fun thing to do with the children and the local community has really got involved with it as well.

“Opposite us, there is a block of flats that are mainly for elderly residents so they’ve really enjoyed looking out their windows and seeing Alfiebear set up.”

They change his activity and outfit every day and usually have him ready by 8.30am.

Hayley said it can take them a good two hours to set up the scenes sometimes and neighbours have started leaving props on the doorstep to use too.

“It’s now become a bit of a community effort to get him set up every day. It’s been lovely,” she said.

Coun Joe Otten, Sheffield Council representative for Dore and Totley, said: “I’m really heartened to see how much people are coming together to support each other through this crisis in all sorts of ways.

“I love Alfiebear for the joy and creativity it shows – just what we need while many of us are separated from loved ones.”

The Stones won Alfiebear in a name the bear competition which raised money for Cavendish Cancer Care and the charity is now supporting his adventures in fundraising for the NHS.

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/h-stones