Pudsey Bear completes 2,250 mile UK-round voyage raising £62,000 for BBC Children in Need
by Big Bear Voyage 11 Aug 12:10 BST
Pudsey Bear completes 2,250 mile UK-round voyage raising £62,000 for BBC Children in Need © Rick Tomlinson /
www.rick-tomlinson.com
Big Bear Voyage 2026 returned safely and jubilantly to its home port Universal Marina, Hamble this weekend after an epic three-month, 2,250-mile sail around England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland with Pudsey Bear on board.
Between May 14th and August 8th this year, Pudsey Bear - BBC Children in Need's iconic mascot - Jonathan Brewin and the crew of the yacht Big Bear visited 37 coastal communities and organised more than 79 Pudsey Bear events to raise funds and vital awareness. With recent reports showing more than one million children a year in England alone are referred to mental health services, this issue could not be more urgent[i].
Pudsey, Jonathan and crew have appeared on BBC TV, featured in more than 60 newspaper and magazine articles, spoken on local radio stations, and hit nearly half-a-million Facebook views. They've had public messages of support from CBeebies presenter Mister Maker, BBC's The One Show's Alex Jones, and one of the greatest Olympic sailors in history Sir Ben Ainslie, among others.
Just some of Pudsey's 70+ adventures saw him...
- Visit three capital cities: Belfast, Edinburgh and London
- Being welcomed on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Sailing under Tower Bridge, London
- Meeting individuals and projects whose vital work has been funded by BBC Children in Need
- Joining festival-goers at the Edinburgh Festival Carnival
- Being "headline bear" at Royal Windsor Racecourse
- Signing the Visitors' Book with Deputy Speaker John Blair at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Stormont
- Taking part in the circus, bingo and funfair
- Holding events in sailing clubs, pubs, museums, primary schools, city farms, mother & child hubs and mental health centres
Following the successful completion of the Voyage at Universal Hamble Marina near Southampton on Saturday, Jonathan Brewin, owner and skipper of Big Bear Voyage, reflected: "When we set off, we knew we were taking on a huge challenge, but we could never have imagined how much the journey would teach us. Meeting people and hearing first-hand about the challenges faced by children and families across the UK has been incredibly humbling. We are immensely proud of what the Big Bear team has achieved but, above all, we feel privileged to have played our small part in making a difference to children who need our support."
Emma Douglas, Supporter Experience Manager at BBC Children in Need says: "Every now and then, you meet people who remind you just how much can be achieved when passion, purpose and courage come together. For the last three months, Jonathan Brewin and his incredible crew have sailed the UK coastline in an extraordinary challenge to raise money for BBC Children in Need.
"The challenge has been incredible, but what has made it really special has been the people behind it. Their commitment, resilience and generosity have been exceptional... What an adventure. What an achievement. And what an amazing group of people. Thank you!"
James Fairclough, Chair of BBC Children in Need, says: "It's an extraordinary challenge, and a reminder that the work of BBC Children in Need is only possible because of Jonathan and the thousands of others who choose to make a difference every year."
Big Bear Voyage 2026 was inspired by Jonathan Brewin - who turned 70 this year - and his wife Jackie. They've been supported by a 50+ team of family and long-standing friends to complete this incredible challenge for the UK's children in need.
The Big Bear Voyage team would like to thank everyone across the UK who has supported this challenge.
Big Bear Voyage 2026 is driven by the simple belief that every child deserves to feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Through its nationwide network of funded projects, BBC Children in Need provides vital early intervention - offering counselling, safe spaces and trusted adult relationships that help children rebuild confidence, resilience and hope.