OWNERS of the Charlie Bears Factory at Pennygillam, Launceston, have been working with charity Make-A-Wish to welcome a young girl as the guest of honour of the official opening of the new Charlie Bears Gallery.

On Friday, an immense crowd of bear lovers flocked into the gates of the Charlie Bear Factory to witness five-year-old Elspeth from West Lothian, Scotland, arrive in style in a limousine.

A member of staff from Charlie Bear said: “It’s going to be a big day, and I think it will be a very emotional day for some. I don’t think anybody is prepared for what they’re going to see. The new extension upstairs is unreal.”

Arriving with her parents and brother, an excited Elspeth was greeted by the workers of Charlie Bear as she strode along the red carpet, to be welcomed by Charlotte (Charlie) and William (Will) Morris, owners of the popular bear retailers.

As everyone piled into the shop, Will described the extension as a ‘dream come true’ for himself and Charlie, having been created by a group of talented people and finished at just 8pm the evening before the grand opening.

Six months prior to the opening, Will and Charlie had been approached by the Make-A-Wish foundation to help Elspeth, who is living with Neurofibromatosis, see her dreams become a reality — to meet the makers behind Charlie Bears, and be able to explore the new Bear Town.

Make-A-Wish is a national charity that grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people suffering and fighting life-threatening diseases and illnesses.

A passionate collector of Charlie Bears, Elspeth was given the opportunity to design her dream bear, and little did she know that she would receive that bear during her visit.

Joanne Porter, a member of Make-A-Wish, said: “Elspeth’s mum applied through the wish granting team, and we contacted Charlie Bears and asked if they could include a few magical extras on her visit, like the limousine.

“Wish is designed to give a child more control over their lives, with most aspects of their lives being determined by doctors and medical professionals. It adds a little more to their childhood, as they often miss out on that.

“It’s just incredible to work for Wish, especially when you hear what the children and their families have been through, and to see how happy she is, is wonderful. I expect Elspeth and her family will talk about this day for weeks and maybe years to come, and that’s what the job is all about.”

The new gallery features approximately 3,000 bears and is designed like a town, with a ‘Cubway’ and shops, including a bridal shop, music shop, pamper parlour and even a fire station and doctor’s surgery.

As well as this, the town features a starlit night sky, warming lanterns and even street names such as ‘Porridge Pot Alley’.

The gallery was a magical place indeed for Elspeth, as she bounced around the Charlie Bears Town in awe.

Will said: “We’ve been going for ten years now, and we trade with collectors worldwide. This extension is a chance for people to see our whole collection, and I really think it will put Launceston back on the map.

“It’s great to have Elspeth here, and it means everything to Charlie and I to be able to be a part of making Elspeth’s dream come true and be involved with Make A Wish.”

Will described the completion of the gallery as ‘a dash to the finish line’, having been officially completed at 8pm on June 30, but everyone at Charlie Bears is extremely pleased with the result.

Deputy mayor of Launceston, Cllr Margaret Young said: “If this doesn’t encourage locals to come here to see it for themselves, or bring tourists to Launceston, I’ll be very surprised. It’s absolutely fantastic.”To find out more about Make-A-Wish, or to apply for a Wish, visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/?utm_campaign=general&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=cornish-devon-post&utm_content=elspeth