Bear Around the World is the brainchild of Charmaine Peploe, mother of four-year-old Katie who suffers from extrapyramidal cerebral palsy, which means she cannot talk, crawl, walk, sit, wash, dress or feed herself.

Katie has also been recently diagnosed with epilepsy and is currently recovering from major hip surgery.

Charmaine, of Shelley Avenue, Great Cornard, got the cuddly toy from Build A Bear in Colchester, which donated a gift voucher to help buy the furry fundraiser.

The idea is that the bear will travel around the world to as many destinations as possible, clocking up as many miles and visiting as many landmarks along the way.

The bear will be sponsored either pence per mile per month and/or donations for each destination, city or country reached, and/or famous landmarks visited.

In between travels, the bear will be busy doing things like marathons, bungee jumps, parachute jumps and fun runs.

Two websites BearAround TheWorld.com and Funds4 katie.com have both been registered and are waiting for people to sponsor, donate or sign up to take the bear on holiday or tag along on their marathon or bungee jump.

The websites will have a world map marking the bear's reached destinations with photographs and updates. There will also be a diary on Katie's progress and the funds raised.

"To help Katie meet her full potential and enjoy some of the simple things in life that we may take for granted, I would like to set up a trust for Katie with various fundraising campaigns to raise money for equipment and other things Katie needs that are not available on the NHS," said Charmaine.

"Bear Around The World is going to be our first campaign.We hope to raise enough money to help with the purchase of flooring suitable for Katie's wheelchair, sensory equipment for her room, and a special needs swing for the garden and, if this is a successful campaign, something towards a Wheelchair Adapted Vehicle – a car that Katie can be wheeled straight into and securely strapped down," said Charmaine.

She added: "Katie is a beautiful and happy little girl who likes lots of one-to-one attention. She has got the most infectious smile and a really cheeky giggle. She is adored by all who meet her."

Charmaine is also hoping for help from local primary school children to name the bear. The winner will receive a £20 Build A Bear voucher towards their own teddy bear.

For more information about the project go to BearAround TheWorld.com and Funds4 Katie.com.