Rhyl fundraiser complete town’s Race For Life dressed as a bear

Richard Kendrick walked the distance in just shy of an hour, and raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research and The Osborne Trust in doing so.

Dressed as Bearjamin The Fundraising Bear, and also wearing a pink tutu, leggings and armband and an Osborne Trust t-shirt, Richard was accompanied by his partner, her son and her dog.

He had also walked from Kinmel Bay to Rhyl before the event started.

Richard dressed as a bear at the Rhyl Race For Life (Image: Richard Kendrick)

Richard said: “It was good fun, but my feet are still hurting! I wore the proper boots that the bear wears, which aren’t made for walking - but my body’s got used to doing these walks now.

“We’ve raised just under £500 between Osborne Trust and Cancer Research in total.

“Loads of people came over to have pictures, and the event commentator said: ‘Here comes the first bear home!’ - I got a cheer when I crossed the finish line.

“It took us nearly an hour, but it was just the fun of it all - all of the people having pictures, shaking your hand, cheering you on.”

In March, Richard was the winner of both the “outstanding contribution to the community” and the “Rhyl superhero” awards at the Rhyl BID Business Awards.

He is often seen in Rhyl dressed as Bearjamin the Fundraising Bear, and during his two years as the town’s Poppy Appeal organiser, raised £212,835.24.

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Richard was also named a Platinum Champion in 2022, as part of a special event to coincide with the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Previously, he told the Journal: “We all know someone who’s passed away from cancer, and one in two of us will get cancer of some sort in our lives. It’s something close to everyone’s hearts."