CUDDLY-TOY loving youngsters looked to the skies as four globe-trotting teddy bears were given a send-off from a picnic at Gateshead International Stadium yesterday.

A conga around the North-East running track waved the bears off as they travel with four British Airways cabin crew in a contest to see which bear can travel most air miles in a month.

The bears will carry passports and cameras and send back a diary of their daily progress and social life around the world.

The picnic and race around the world were the idea of the national charity Toc H, which helps families under pressure, in a week leading up to the national Make A Difference Day (Madd), aimed at encouraging more volunteers.

Madd is organised annually by the Community Service Volunteers organisation. About 25,000 people and 1,500 organisations took part in Make A Difference Day last year.