For immediate release – Monday 7 February 2011 

Children’s Heart Federation (CHF) is launching its 2011 partnership with Build-A-Bear Workshop to help raise funds and awareness for children with heart problems at the Bournemouth branch of Build-a-Bear Workshop on 9th February 2011, when Coronation Street and Impressions Show star Debra Stephenson and a class of six year olds from Kinson Primary School will be building bears to give to children born with a serious heart condition.

Throughout Heart Month (February) and March 2011, customers visiting any of the 50 UK Build-A-Bear Workshops can add their support by buying a special purple heart for £1.00 to go inside their bear.  Build-A-Bear Workshop will give a percentage of the purchase price of each purple heart to CHF to provide vital services for heart children and their families.

Net-surfing bear fans are also able to help, with any online purchase of a Bearville Outfitter gift card, which provides credit for items on buildabearville.com  and offers the option of donating five per cent of the sale price of the card to CHF.

CHF’s bear-related-fun will continue throughout the spring and summer months, as the charity urges supporters to hold ‘Teddy Bears Picnics’ to raise funds for heart children, with a peak of activity during Children’s Heart Week, 7-15 May 2011.

Top impressionist, Debra Stephenson declares:

“This is a marvellous opportunity to bring smiles to the faces of children right across the country. Build-A-Bear teddies come in even more guises than I do; there’s a look and a style for everyone! And by giving your bear a heart, you can make life better for children who are really poorly.”

CHF Chief Executive Anne Keatley-Clarke affirms

“CHF’s partnership with Build-A-Bear last year was really successful. Everybody who took part had a brilliant time, and the money raised paid for vital equipment and support for heart children. I’m hoping the partnership bears even more fruit this year and that everyone’s Build-a-Bear teddy comes to a picnic!”

– Ends –

Notes for Editors

• The Children’s Heart Federation (CHF) is the UK’s leading children’s heart charity and the umbrella body for voluntary organisations working to improve the life chances and opportunities for children and young people with heart conditions and their families. CHF provides information through through its freephone infoline 0808 808 5000, open Monday to Friday, and its website www.chfed.org.uk. The charity campaigns to improve clinical, educational and social care and provides direct support to families by giving heart children medical equipment, making grants and organising short breaks.

• Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive, make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. Founded in 1997, the company and its franchisees currently operate more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide. In 2007, the interactive experience was enhanced – all the way to CyBEAR space – with the launch of buildabearville.com , the company’s virtual world stuffed with fun.Build-A-Bear Workshop believes in the teddy bear philosophy of being good people and good bears.  Throughout its 14 year history, the company has shared the hug of a teddy bear wherever needed in local communities and abroad. You can find your nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop store or discover more about the company’s philosophy of “CorBearate Giving” by visiting www.buildabear.co.uk.

• Congenital heart conditions are the most common birth defect in the UK. One in every 133 babies in the UK is born with a heart condition (approximately 5000 children each year, with a further 1000 developing a serious heart problem after birth).