It is usually children who look after teddy bears, but these cuddly toys are going to be travelling the globe to try and raise some money for children instead.

A fundraising initiative will see three teddies travel to Hong Kong, Australia and California – all in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

The scheme is the brainchild of Lyssa Powell, fundraising leader of the University of East Anglia Paediatric Society.

The event will see the teddies – recently named as Cookie, Horatio and Florence – sponsored to travel the world aided by generous companies who receive them in the post.

Ms Powell, who will write travel blogs on behalf of the teddies to promote their adventures, said: 'The teddies start their travels this week. The inspiration was a mix of me having to plan travel abroad and thinking about all the great places I have yet to visit or know so little about, as well as a love of teddies.

'We have supported EACH in the past and as medical students it's easy to appreciate just how important the role of the hospices is in terms of meeting the care needs of terminally-ill children.'

The group hope the teddies travel as far as they can until August, which is when they have decided to stop the scheme.

EACH needs to raise �4m in donations to deliver its services this year, supporting families and caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

It provides home care as well as hospice care at Quidenham in Norfolk, Ipswich in Suffolk and Milton in Cambridgeshire – helping 464 families by delivering 75,000 hours of care and support last year.

Jessica Hiscocks, pictured right, EACH fundraiser, added: 'We are delighted that Lyssa and the UEA Paediatric Society have decided to support EACH through the Follow Teddy fundraising initiative.

'It's such an original way to raise money and we hope it captures people's imaginations and encourages them to support the cause. We wish Cookie, Horatio and Florence safe journeys and look forward to hearing all about their travels!'

To follow the teddies' travels, or to make a donation visit: www.followteddy.co.uk or for more information about EACH and how you can help raise funds, visit www.each.org.uk or call 01953 715559.

Are you organising a charity event, or do you have a much travelled teddy-bear? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk