We are pleased to announce that Teddy Hall’s second Community and Giving Week on 1-8 March 2026 inspired many Edmund Bear Challenges, a delicious Teddy Bear’s picnic and raised £160,000 for student support, access and outreach initiatives, environmental sustainability and extracurricular activities such as sports clubs, music and arts projects. The fundraising campaign exceeded all expectations, surpassing last year’s total of £140,000.
More than 100 Aularians participated, spanning generations from matriculants of 1953 to current students, Fellows and staff. This collective effort is a demonstration of the enduring strength, enthusiasm and generosity of our Hall community.
The main focus of the week was the Edmund Bear Challenge. Inspired by Edmund Bear, a friendly symbol of Teddy Hall and our community, Aularians around the world and students and staff were asked to take part in a range of exciting activities with a focus on the College and their teddy bear.
The Hall community responded with enthusiasm, sending in a wide range of creative and exciting challenges, including poetry, rowing, baked goods and musical arrangements. A notable highlight was a performance by Choir of St Edmund Hall performing the Teddy Bear’s Picnic song and it we saw Sebastian Bear, the MCR mascot, do a 5K run with the MCR run club.
We are also grateful to Hall students, Fellows and staff who showed their Hall Spirit in attending the Teddy Bear’s Picnic celebration to win a teddy bear piñata and the Bears of St Edmund Hall exhibition in the Old Library.
You can read more about the Edmund Bear Challenges and catch up on the week’s events on the dedicated Community & Giving Week page.