Organiser Lisa Ramien said she was overwhelmed by the response to the event, which will reach an even bigger fundraising total as donations roll in leading up to the end of May.

Funds were raised through a raffle, sponsorship, and donations from stallholders and the public - the busking alone by Jake Fahy and friends, Ross Kurtz and Vince Meers raised over $100.

Maternity ward staff issued birth certificates and carried out health checks and immunisations for teddies, encountering one premmy ted and one set of twin teddies.

They reported that the most popular name for 2013 for teddy bears was ‘Teddy’, followed by ‘Ted’.

The event had a dual purpose of raising funds and promoting the services and businesses available to support local parents and children.

Ms Ramien is part of the health sector herself as a paramedic, but said she was inspired to support the maternity ward and Community Health after having a really good experience there with the birth of her first child in March 2012.

Ms Ramien said a big thank you to everyone who attended, stallholders and sponsors, as well as the numerous volunteers and contributors that helped to make the event such a success, particularly Ian Keys, James and Georgina Sullivan, Natalie Hughes, Fay McDarmont, Kate Power, John Graham, Julie Flood, Jenny Ramien, and Noel and Sue Ramien.