In 2022, supporters of The Gurkha Welfare Trust, based in Salisbury, took to their sewing kits, knitting needles and crochet yarn to create beautifully dressed teddy bears for the trust’s first-ever Teddy Bear Auction, which raised more than £4,000 to support the Gurkha veterans and their communities in rural Nepal.

By popular demand, the GWT is launching their second auction this year – starting on Monday, May 22.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s community fundraising officer Helen Souch said: “It has been very difficult in the last few years to raise money for our work in Nepal. We are always looking for new ways to raise funds, and at the same time encourage our supporters to have a bit of fun.

“We are so grateful to the amazing people who have decorated these adorable bears and I am sure that there will be some friendly competition when the bidding starts.”

There are a variety of bears on offer, each meticulously decorated, from female bears in beautiful saris to bears in traditional Nepali dress with matching Topi hats.

Many of the bears wear Gurkha uniforms and, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt Everest, there are Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary bears.

There are 29 bears up for auction in total, with bidding open here from Monday, May 22 to Monday, May 29.

All the money raised will help support Gurkha veterans, families, and communities in Nepal.