Local attraction got a 'beary' important send off at the Esplanade after helping to raise £4,000 during lockdown

Carol Anne Crawford and her partner Ian Cormack put the three foot tall teddy out in their garden back in April and since then he's donned many outfits, gained 1,500 worldwide fans and brought the community together.

What started as a bit of daily fun for the couple to keep in touch with grandchildren Rowan, Rob and Ché by sending them photos of their furry friend became a fundraiser which has helped boost Mind Mosaic Child & Family Therapies, where Carol Anne volunteers.

With Carol Anne returning to work as a primary teacher on secondment project in the local authority, the couple arranged a socially distanced party to bring down the curtain on the bear's exploits.

She dished out goodie bags and treats and held a raffle before the bear left his post and headed off on an 'Around the World in 80 Days' style adventure.

The thoughtful 55-year-old told the Tele: "All of this has happened completely unintentionally.

"I started to dress the bear up in costumes I had for my grandchildren so I could send them photographs and little stories to go along with it while I couldn't see them during lockdown.

"Before I knew it, people were going by the house every day looking for him, and one thing led to another and someone suggested I started to raise money for a local charity.

"I am a volunteer counsellor for Mind Mosaic, so thought it was a perfect opportunity to raise money for them, especially when so many children and their parents were making an effort to come down each day and see him in the garden.

"People kept asking Ian and I how we had the time, but we've absolutely loved coming up with all of the ideas each day and think it is amazing how it has brought so many members of our community together."

As well as using items she already had to dress the Esplanade's furry friend, many people who were following his adventures also donated costumes and items to help.

At the party, Coleen Hill from Treasured in Gourock donated the balloon display that turned the big bear into Phileas Fogg and the couple's kind neighbour donated all of the contents to make over 100 goodie bags for children.

Now the bear is off on its adventure around the world, Ian is keeping over 1,000 Facebook fans entertained by posting updates of where he is going on his travels.

Carol Anne added: "We might bring him back out for occasions like Halloween and Christmas, and when the cruises start back up in 2021 we are planning to dress him in the national dress of whatever ship is coming in.

"Inverclyde is known as the most deprived area in Scotland and also now as the Covid-19 capital, yet I have been absolutely blown away by the generosity and the community spirit shown over the past few months.

"As well as people sending the photos worldwide, we also had a pensioner who was shielding for 121 days who came down to see the bear, as she was keeping up with his antics while stuck inside.

"What started as just something to keep the grandkids going has turned into something that has helped countless people over the past few months.

"We're really proud of it."