TEDDY bear owners of all ages are welcome to go down to the woods on August 20 for a surprise that will boost Julia's House.

Grandmother Vee Thursby has organised a teddy bears picnic in the tree-lined grounds of Nursteed House, Devizes, to help the charity which supports her granddaughter Sophia.

She is being supported by the Devizes Friends of Julia's House including David and Letitia Scott who live at Nursteed House.

Entrance for the event, which starts at 2pm, is free and there will be free car car parking off Marshall Road roundabout on the A342.

The afternoon will include contests for all types of bears including largest, smallest, oldest, best dressed, best names and teddy most like its owner. Devizes Mayor Jane Burton and staff of Moonraker Bears will do the judging.

There will also be games and activities for all ages including a bouncy castle, mini Land Rover obstacle course, story telling by Roger Day, face painting and expert advice on bee keeping.

It is hoped that a raffle with prizes been donated by local firms and organisations will help boost funds. Mrs Thursby, from Patney, near Devizes, said: "There are prizes such as trip on Kennet & Avon Canal donated by Kennet & Avon Trust, full manicure from Holly at Willett & James, gifts from Little Hen House and a hamper from Planks Farm Shop.

"We will also have a play park for the young a grill run by Devizes Rotary Club and other refreshments such as tea, coffee, cakes and scones and a produce stall.

Grist Environmental is supporting the picnic by providing portable toilets.

Mrs Thursby is keen to raise as much money as possible for Julia's House as Sophia, who has a number of severe conditions, is helped by nurses and carers from the charity who go to her home in All Cannings, near Devizes.

Mrs Thursby praised Julia's House for the help given to her son Damien, daughter-in-law Rebecca and her grandson Harry. She said: "The help means Rebecca can spend time with Harry doing ordinary things so he does not felt left out."

A new Julia's House children's hospice is to be opened in Devizes next year which will mean the Thursbys and other families can receive even more support. Mrs Thursby, 61, who had a career in marketing and is the wife of a retired colonel, hopes people will turn out with their bears to enjoy the afternoon of fun and games.

Her daughter-in-law spoke of the difference the charity has made to the family's life when the Gazette launched its 200 appeal to raise £100,000 for the charity.

She said: "We used to be a family coping largely on our own with a severely disabled child with a life threatening condition. The stress we faced in coping with our daughter's level of care was taking its toll on our family. Julia's House changed our lives."

Sophia's medical condition means she has epileptic fits and can lose consciousness many times a day and needs to be resuscitated. She is also blind and is unable to talk or walk.

Julia's House now provides four hours of respite care a fortnight. Money raised by our appeal will pay for carers for families across Wiltshire.