In September 2009 a small green teddy bear, ‘Ted Green’ ably assisted by W.Bro. Colin Baxter of Snar Gate Lodge No 6770 in Dover, is going to ride a solo motorcycle around Britain in aid of Teddies for Loving Care (TLC). They will be setting off from Dover and calling at Land’s End, Menai Bridge in N Wales, Durness in N W Scotland, John O’Groats, Lowestoft and back to Dover over a period of 6 days.

TLC donates teddy bears to A&E and minor injury units around the country. They, in turn, give the teddy bears to distressed children which has a calming effect and enables the unit to diagnose and treat the patient more effectively. Going into A&E is upsetting enough for an adult, imagine then how much more traumatic it is for a child. Having a teddy bear to cuddle can be a great comfort and the children get to keep the bears so this becomes a companion if they have to return for further treatment. As one A&E unit can see thousands of children a year this is an ongoing campaign. Every penny raised goes towards buying bears, nothing is lost in administration.

The accommodation is being part sponsored by the hotel company I work for, Premier Inn, but more sponsors are always welcome. Thanks must also go to Bro. Ian Jenkins of Snar Gate Lodge for the I.T/Admin support. This event is being run under the auspices of TLC Appeal, East Kent, though money raised in other Provinces will be directed back to them.

If any Brother would like to sponsor this brave teddy bear on his journey there are two ways of doing so. Either send a cheque made payable to TLC Appeal to ‘Ted Green’ The Mariners, Hamstead Lane, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6HG or, if you prefer, you can meet Ted Green and W.Bro. Baxter at one of the stopping points listed below. Look out for a blue Yamaha FJR as pictured.

Day 1 September 10th Arrive Land’s End approx 10.00 depart 12.00 arrive Gordano Gate Premier Inn, Wyndham Way, Portishead approx 15.30.

Day 2 September 11th Depart Gordano Gate approx 08.00 arrive Menai Bridge approx 12.00 depart 13.30 arrive Annandale Water Premier Inn approx 1700.

Day 3 September 12th Depart Annandale Water 08.30 via Glencoe, Fort William and Loch Ness, Arrive Inverness Central Premier Inn, Milburn Road, Inverness approx 15.00

Day 4 September 13th Depart Inverness Central 0830 via Ullapool and Durness, arrive John O’Groats tourist office approx 12.30 depart 13.30 arrive back at Inverness Central approx 15.30

Day 5 September 14th Depart Inverness Central 08.30 arrive Brampton Hut Premier Inn, Brampton, Huntingdon approx 16.30.

Day 6 September 15 Depart Brampton Hut 0830 arrive Lowestoft tourist office approx 1030 depart 12.00 arrive Dover approx 15.00.

A few days after I get back I am off again, on the bike of course, to Scotland for a rally so by the time I get back I will be eligible for free entry into a John Wane walk-alike contest.

Yours sincerely and fraternally

W.Bro. Colin Baxter Snar Gate Lodge No 6770 ‘Ted Green’ at Dover Castle