Although this sounds quite fun, I'm not too sure what it is that you are looking to make with the Arduino part.
If you want a talking tiger then the local "build-a-bear" workshop will allow you to record a message that will replay at the press-of-a-paw.
You could recreate a similar thing at around 10 times the price with an arduino and a "wave" type shield, speaker, batteries stuffed tiger etc.
In fairness, you could do much more sophisticated things with the Ardu' setup but I'm not clear on exactly what it is that you want.
Thanks for your reply. In essence, what I will be creating is pretty much a glorified build-a-bear. To activate the message, I will be using a pressure sensor (unless you recommend another type of sensor?) . As you stroke the cuddly toy, the message will be relayed. I realise that this will be an expensive project for what I am creating. I'm sure however that I will be using the parts again at a later date for other projects. I deliberately chose to create something simple as I am new to the whole arduino scene.
That's what my son says anyway when he gives them my phone number
This made me laugh! 
The Chuggers are about 50/50 girls and guys.
[Chugger] “Hello, is there any chance that I could stop and talk to you for a couple of minutes?”
“No thanks."
[/quote]
Thanks for your reply, however this does not help me.They call on the phone and I ask the Magic Legal Question: "What percent of the money your organization collected last year went to the ones you collected for?"
Legally since way back the requirement is 5%. That's right, when you put quarters in a card or coins in a box, about 1 dollar in 20 actually goes to who or whatever you think you're helping. The rest goes to the collectors tax free.
So when they proudly tell me 10%, I shower them with shame until they hang up. And if they don't answer or give a false answer and I got their name and organization, I -can- take them to court and supposed can get $500 for doing that.
When people can own nice apartments in Manhattan +and+ a house in the country on 6-figure salaries by heading a -charity- organization then something ain't right!
If they started bugging me on the streets then I'd carry a donation box and go John Belushi on them.
What pisses me off with the chuggers in newcastle is that they aren't volunteers and they pretty much follow you until you stop and tell them that you are not interested. I admit that my solution to this problem is not necessarily a serious one, its just a fun project for me to get to know arduino better. Its interesting what you said about the amount of money that actually goes to the collectors, especially with the whole KONY 2012 situation atm.
Mafa