A COMMUNITY has been banding together in a bid to have a young man with learning difficulties reunited with his ‘best friend’ in time for Christmas.

Marcus Vaissiere, who suffers with severe learning difficulties and autism, has not seen his beloved teddy bear, Bob, since the end of last month.

His mum, Sharon, says her 19-year-old son has had the bear for 15 years has been “really struggling” ever since he went missing.

“Bob to him is like his comfort blanket,” she said. “He takes him to surgeries, to him it’s like his best friend. Where Marcus goes that bear follows.”

She added: “He’s just really confused and upset that he can’t find him.”

“I hear him in the morning, he gets up at 6am and I hear him asking his dad for Bob.”

Marcus’ bear hasn’t been seen since November 22 when he went missing in Winchester Street.

Since then Sharon says he was spotted outside Lemon Plaice, in the same street, where he was propped up outside against one of the lampposts.

But the person who found him says that by the time they left the shop, the bear was gone.

“I just can’t understand where he’s gone,” said Sharon, “I’ve been searching everywhere just to try and find something.

She added: “I think he thinks it’s probably going to come home when Christmas is over, as he’s gone to help Santa.”

She has been busy sharing posts on a number of Facebook page, but she hasn’t been alone in her efforts.

Lemon Plaice has also shared posters outside their shop, while various members of the public, including Marcus’ care workers, staff from the council and local police and many more, have been banding together in the hopes of seeing Marcus and Bob reunited.

Sharon said: “One lady managed to find a look-a-like. She was selling one but she gave it to Marcus and came around to give it to him.”

“It’s lovely that people care. Lots of people have been saying, ‘we hope he finds him’, ‘we’re sorry you’ve lost him’.

“To be quite honest a lot of people are busy at this time of year so it’s nice that people are putting themselves out to help.”

Now Sharon is offering a £50 reward to anyone who might be able to find Bob and return him to Marcus. If you have any information to share contact ‘Sharon Arckless’ on Facebook.