The picnic is over for this well-travelled St Giles Hospice teddy bear, found lost and alone at the Tesco store in Stalham, Norwich.

“Sam” – who cuts a rather rotund figure – was spotted eyeing up the honey jars by a customer and was handed in to staff at the superstore.

Now, thanks to the good-humoured Tesco customer service team, he has been returned safely to St Giles Hospice and now the hunt has begun for his real owner.

Richard Simmonite, St Giles Hospice Promotions’ Commercial Manager, explains: “We had a call from the store to say one of our hospice lottery teddy bears had been found. He duly arrived carefully stowed in a card board box complete with air holes and a card explaining that Sam was looking to be reunited with his owner.

“It’s wonderful that Sam has been out and about promoting the work of St Giles as far a field as Norwich, but he is very cute and someone will be missing him loads.

“We would like to reunite Sam with his owner for Christmas. If you know who this bear belongs to, please call Lesley at St Giles on 0845 370 6580.”

Loyal St Giles lottery players are rewarded with a limited edition Hospice 'Caring Bear' each year.

Sam was the 2006 bear from the fundraising lottery – now in its 10th successful year.

The 2007 bear Toby is now available as a special thank you to regular players, who by committing for a full 12 months help to keep down administration costs so the charity benefits even more.

The St Giles Hospice Lottery gives away over £3000 in prizes every week – with one lucky winner scooping a £2000 jackpot.

Members receive benefits including a Discount Card, offering savings at over 100 stores across the region, and those paying for a full year in advance will also receive the annual St Giles bear.

For five consecutive years the St Giles Hospice Lottery has raised more than £1 million, with every penny going towards caring for people with cancer and other serious illnesses.

It is one of the most successful hospice lotteries of its kind anywhere in the UK and plays a vital role in funding this hospice.

St Giles Hospice cares for people at its facilities in Sutton Coldfield and Whittington, Lichfield and also in patients' own homes across the catchment area. This ranges from Ashby de la Zouch in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Further information on how to join the St Giles Hospice Lottery is available by calling 0845 370 6580 or visiting www.stgileshospice.com/lottery.