Pudsey Bear to visit Windsor as part of 2,200-mile charity sailing challenge (Edited by Author)
Families will have the chance to meet one of the UK's best-loved charity mascots when Pudsey Bear visits Windsor later this month as part of a fundraising voyage around Britain's coastline.
Pudsey, the face of BBC Children in Need, is currently travelling 2,200 miles aboard the yacht Big Bear to raise more than £70,000 to support children experiencing mental health challenges.
The three-month Big Bear Voyage 2026 began in Hamble in May and will see the crew visit more than 35 ports across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland before finishing later this summer.
As part of the tour, Pudsey will make a special appearance in Windsor on Monday, July 20, meeting residents and visitors in the High Street between noon and 4pm.
A dedicated photo opportunity with Pudsey will take place at 2.30pm at the top of Peascod Street, opposite the Queen Victoria statue outside Windsor Castle.
The fundraising initiative was inspired by Jonathan and Jackie Brewin, owners of the 53ft yacht Big Bear, who launched the voyage to raise both funds and awareness for BBC Children in Need.
Jonathan Brewin said: “Pudsey has already sailed more than 1,380 miles and is more than halfway through his 3-month, round-UK Big Bear Voyage 2026.
"He’s really excited to be heading ashore for the day to meet all the Windsor residents and raise even more awareness and funds to support the mental health challenges that our UK youngsters are facing.
"Supporting the mental health of children is at the heart of this voyage. Through BBC Children in Need, we know that real, practical help is reaching young people across the UK.
"If this journey can raise awareness as well as funds, and encourage conversations about mental wellbeing, it will have achieved something truly worthwhile."
The appeal is highlighting the charity's work supporting one in five children in the UK who are living with a mental health challenge.
With around a month of the voyage remaining, the campaign has already raised more than £42,000, around 60 per cent of its fundraising target.
After leaving Windsor town centre, Pudsey will head to Royal Windsor Racecourse, where Big Bear Voyage 2026 has been chosen as the official charity fundraiser for the afternoon's racing and evening entertainment.
Organisers are encouraging families to come along to meet Pudsey, take photographs and help support the fundraising campaign, with donations going towards projects that improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across the UK.
