Paddington Bear™
Supporting Action for 50 years
For 50 years, Paddington Bear™ has been at the heart of Action Medical Research – helping to raise vital funds and bring hope to sick babies and children.
The partnership began in 1976, when Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond, met the charity’s founder, Duncan Guthrie. Both men shared a belief in the power of medical research to transform children’s lives. What started as a single conversation has grown into a remarkable relationship spanning five decades.
Karen Jankel, Michael Bond’s daughter, remembers the moment the connection began. As a child, she proudly displayed a charity sticker her father brought home after that first meeting – a small gesture that marked the start of something lasting and meaningful.
The charity’s appeal was clear for my father. This was not about sticking a sticking plaster over a problem. It was about finding solutions, using science.
Over the years, Paddington has helped bring the charity’s work to life – appearing at events, inspiring fundraising initiatives, and capturing the imagination of generations of supporters. From early activities like the “Make It Grow Club” to school fundraising and public events, Paddington has played a central role in engaging families and communities.
Karen herself became deeply involved with Action Medical Research, serving as a trustee for 20 years. Through this role, she saw first-hand how the charity carefully invests in pioneering research to improve children’s health – something that strongly reflected her father’s values.
The connection is also personal. Medical advances supported by the charity have touched Karen’s own family, reinforcing her belief in the importance of long-term research to solve complex health challenges.
Throughout Paddington’s global success – from books to film and stage – his link with Action Medical Research has remained constant. His kindness, sense of fairness and desire to help others make him a natural ambassador for a charity focused on improving children’s lives.
Today, Paddington continues to bring warmth, visibility and support to the charity, helping to raise millions for life-changing research. Reflecting on the milestone, Karen says she is immensely proud of what has been achieved and the difference it has made for families.
I feel extremely proud that Paddington has continued his association with the charity for so long. It’s a perfect fit for Paddington, as a bear who always wants to help others.
Fifty years on, this partnership remains as strong as ever – united by a shared commitment to improving children’s health and a belief in the power of kindness, generosity and discovery.
Bring your Bear
Paddington is the inspiration behind our Bring your Bear event for schools and nurseries where children are encouraged to help others by taking part and raising money to fund life-changing research to improve the lives of sick babies and children.
Paddington Films
In 2014, inspired by Michael Bond’s best-selling books, Paddington made his debut onto the big screen. Produced by Studiocanal with Harry Potter’s David Heyman, it was the best-selling non-Hollywood family movie ever released. A second movie, Paddington 2, was released in the UK in November 2017 and the third movie, Paddington in Peru, was released in autumn 2024.
Paddington Trail
Paddington was part of the London Paddington Trail, which saw 50 bears placed across London at the end of 2014. Action Medical Research had two bears in this trail, one designed by our celebrity ambassador Davina McCall and the other by Rankin - both raising money for Action.
Paddington goes to hospital story
The classic Paddington Goes to Hospital book, by Michael Bond and daughter Karen Kankel (also available as an ebook narrated by Action's Celebrity Ambassador Davina McCall) is a tale full of Paddington’s trademark humour and mishaps, perfect for young readers who are curious or a little nervous about what happens inside a hospital. The royalties for all copies sold in the UK are kindly being donated to Action.
Paddington’s Birthday
Paddington Bear celebrates two birthdays each year. Our mascot's birthdays are 25 June and 25 December. To celebrate his Winter birthday in 2013, Paddington had a very busy day: smashing the World Record for Most Mascot Hugs in one minute, decorating the Christmas tree at Paddington station, followed by a quick marmalade sandwich, then spreading Christmas cheer by offering free hugs to weary commuters at Paddington Station.