A HOSPICE'S cuddly bear mascot is to become a much-travelled teddy.

Chemical giants Huntsman on Teesside have had the teddy bear logo of Normanby-based baby hospice Zoe's Place painted on the back of a road tanker.

The firm also gave cheques totalling £1,100 to hospice general manager Mark Guidery yesterday.

The first cheque was from Wilton employee Tony Grylls, who works in Huntsman's finance department.

His wife, Lesley, died last year after a brave battle against cancer, and it was her wish to leave Huntsman a bequest of £500 "in recognition of the compassion and assistance that Huntsman had shown to our family during Lesley's illness".

This included Huntsman obtaining a second opinion on Lesley's diagnosis from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and agreeing a flexible working pattern to give Mr Grylls more time with his wife and family.

Huntsman decided to match Mrs Grylls's £500 bequest and yesterday presented a cheque of £1,000 to Zoe's Place.

Mr Grylls said: "Lesley's bequest was that the money should be used at Huntsman's discretion for the alleviation of the pain and suffering of others.

"Lesley was lucky enough to benefit from the services of a hospice during her illness, and would be glad that Huntsman has chosen to match her bequest and assist further the hospice movement."

The second cheque was presented by Huntsman business applications analyst Derrick Previll, who sold more than 60 Zoe's Bear badges to Huntsman colleagues and raised £100.