A BEAR is making tracks for a Keighley-district pub.

Lance Corporal Rag is heading to the Airedale Heifer, at Sandbeds, as part of a global journey to raise funds for The Veterans Charity.

He and fellow teddy Lance Corporal Oil – who is currently in Australia – are visiting locations across the world.

As part of the year-long adventure, Lance Corporal Rag will be at the Airedale Heifer – in Bradford Road – from Monday, August 23, until September 3.

There will be a collection bucket for donations and ‘story sheets’ will be placed on each table, explaining the initiative and promoting an online fundraising page – justgiving.com/fundraising/james-castlehouse.

During his stay, Lance Corporal Rag also hopes to visit attractions including the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and Keighley Bus Museum.

The Sandbeds leg of the initiative is being organised by Kev Lewis, who lives locally.

He served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps for 22 years, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class One.

Earlier this year, Kev helped form a group to keep alive the memory of the unit – which had become defunct through amalgamation – and it instigated the teddies’ travels.

“The corps was colloquially referred to as the ‘Rag and Oil Company’ – given that we did supply both of those commodities – which is why the bears have been given the names they have!” says Kev, 69.

“Our mission in this instance is to raise much-needed funds for The Veterans Charity, which supports veterans of all armed forces who have served our country.

“Our further intention is to collect photographs and stories from the bears’ travels and create a book.

“At the end of our quest, the bears – along with the book – will be presented to a children’s home here in the UK, to be chosen by our group’s membership.

“If it becomes achievable, the book could also be put into print to raise yet more funds for our chosen charity.”

The veterans group already has over 750 members.

The membership includes not only veterans themselves, but also close family members of ex-service personnel who have died.

Together, the veterans have over 3,000 years’ service behind them.