Now a British icon and friend to Queen Elizabeth II, Paddington, a bear from Peru, became popular after the Second World War.

The man behind the marmalade-loving character, the late author Michael Bond, drew on his wartime memories of evacuees and refugees when he created the much-loved Paddington Bear. 

The author is quoted as saying "Paddington Bear was a refugee with a label - 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.’”

Bond was a child during the Second World War and spoke of seeing child evacuees from London relocated in his home town of Reading, where his parents opened their home. 

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The beloved Paddington Bear, by late author Michael Bond. ⁠ ⁠ Published in 30 different languages, Paddington’s story remains popular today. His is a story about helping someone from a faraway land, showing compassion and acting upon it. ⁠ ⁠ It's the values that underpin this story that make Paddington so enduring. It's never been more important to remember what those values are.⁠ ⁠ As #Paddington is celebrated this Boxing Day, double tap to #StandWithRefugees.

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BBC Two’s Paddington: The Man behind the Bear revealed that in 2010, in a letter written to Paddington film producer Rosie Allison, Michael told how children also came to his home from Nazi Germany:

“We took in some Jewish children who often sat in front of the fire every evening, quietly crying because they had no idea what had happened to their parents, and neither did we at the time. It’s the reason why Paddington arrived with the label around his neck”. 

Paddington’s story starts in the jungle of Peru, the film showing how his once peaceful home is destroyed by a huge fire.

This act of compassion doesn’t just give Paddington the safe haven he deserves, but also brings the Browns together in ways they weren’t expecting.

With nothing left and nowhere to go, Paddington is forced to make the difficult journey to London, stowed away on a lifeboat in the hope of a better life.

When Paddington arrives, London is not as welcoming as he had expected. He is ignored by almost all passers-by until the Brown family kindly offer him a place to stay. This act of compassion doesn’t just give Paddington the safe haven he deserves, but also brings the Browns together in ways they weren’t expecting.

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With 30 million books sold in 30 languages worldwide and two hit films, Paddington continues to teach us the power of welcome. His lesson lives on.

Photos: Martin Pettitt, Creative Commons and Dave Pearce, Creative Commons.