'Albert' Royal Marines' Special Lookout, RMS QE2

The following four Lots, 'Albert', 'Jack', 'Harrison' and 'Thomas' are being sold to raise funds for Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA), Tyne and Wear Branch SSAFA The Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA) exists to help, according to need, the families and dependents of all men and women serving, or who have served at any time, in the Armed Forces of the Crown including the Reserve Forces. Their 'customers' range from the young wives of men on duty in Northern Ireland or Bosnia, the Falkland Islands or the Gulf, through to the widows of those served in the First and Second World Wars. SSAFA's network operates worldwide and its Representatives act as sympathetic, knowledgeable and confidential friends to eligible people with problems and difficulties, however personal and varied and, by working alongside other Service charities such as the RN Benevolent Trust, Army Benevolent Fund, RAF Benevolent Fund and other Regimental and Corps associations, they can arrange financial grants when needed. Tyne and Wear Branch Historically, Tyne and Wear has been a major area for recruiting men and women to the Armed Forces. As a result, it is also a major area for the same people, together with their families, to resettle on discharge. Consequently Tyne and Wear is one of SSAFA's busiest branches, handling over 3,000 cases each year. In addition, they also run a home for estranged Service wives and children. The volume of work this creates means they need to maintain an office in Newcastle for their skilled team of workers and volunteers. All workers are fully trained and help is available 24 hourse a day, 7 days a week. The SSAFA Ted Project To achieve the aim of providing the 'ready help of friends' for serving and ex-Service men and women and their families, SSAFA must have sufficient trained voluntary caseworkers, particularly in the major UK metropolitan areas where the needs are most pressing. To supprt this vital work the Tyne and Wear Branch needs (100,000 this year alone. To help raise funds they launched the 'SSAFA Ted' project and the money raised from the sale of the Teds, plus other events connected with the project, will go towards the continued provision of our one-to-one service to the men, women and families of the Armed Forces.

Details

'Albert' Royal Marines' Special Lookout, RMS QE2
Known as Bertie, created by Gwen Johnson, GiGi Bears of Sunderland, Limited Edition One of One.
Offered for sale with the following:
Certificate of Authenticity; coloured printed maps depicting taken route round the world; Bearography, Adventures of a SSAFA Ted by Bertie; a quantity of Certificates of achievment by Bertie; Bertie's travelling bag including his autograph book, wash bag and a selection of essential toys

See Illustration

Lot Essay

Bertie, Special Lookout, RMS QE2
Bertie's adventures started with the Coast to Coast Walk, and he has his certificate to prove he completed it.
After that he decided to do something that didn't involve walking long distances - he became the navigator for Derek Bell, the racing driver, during the le Mans 24 Hour race. They were driving a Golf Porsche - the car of Bertie's dreams!
Bertie's next job involved a different type of transport - aircraft. He went to the USA to try his paw at being a member of the cabin staff for Delta Air Lines on flights Atlanta - Seattle - Atlanta. Whilst in Seattle Bertie found time to visit the Mayor to say hello before piloting the aircraft back to Atlanta. After landing, Delta Air Lines awarded him his 'Wings'.
Bertie co-piloted a Cherokee light aircraft to Beaufort, South Carolina, to see some friends at Boom Bears.
Then on to the US Marine Corp Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, where he completed an assault course during training.
Back in Atlanta, he apid a visit to the Governor of Georgia before flying back to UK.
On native ground, Bertie visited the Teddy Bear Show in Gateshead before he went aboard HMS Cavalier in Hebburn to join Veterans. Next it was HMS Ark Royal who was visiting North Shields on the River Tyne. During two Open Days Bertie helped raise funds for SSAFA.
The Kielder Water Challenge Walk came next with Captain Allan Dyne.
After that, Bertie set off for Birmingham to visit the Motor Show where he met Derek Bell again. During an interview on Radio Five Live Derek told everyone about their trip round Le Mans earlier in the year.
The 733 Squad reunion followed where he somehow managed to get himself on another assault course, this time at the Royal Marines Training Centre, Lympstone, near Exmouth.
In December Bertie SSAFA Ted travelled in style with General Sir Stuart Pringle RM, ex-Commandant General of the Royal Marines, Lady Jacqui Pringle and David Clapson RM, on one of the first trips of Le Shuttle through the Channel Tunnel.
After travelling home, Bertie went to Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, where he met more Royal Marines - this time the Band of the Royal Marines.
Next for Bertie was something very special. He joined Captain John Burton-Hall (Master RMS QE2) and his wife Rosemarie on the QE2 for her World Cruise.
He was appointed Special Lookout.
Almost immediately he was presented to HRH The Duke of York, who was paying a visit to the QE2 before she sailed for New York.
Since leaving Southampton, Bertie SSAFA Ted has travelled about 47,000 miles and visited many places including:
New York; Barbados; Acapulco; Hawaii; Pago Pago; American Samoa; New Zealand; Japan; Vietnam; Hong Kong; Sri Lanka; Port Said; Egypt; Istanbul; Italy; Ireland; Nova Scotia; the list is endless.
Bertie's travels are well documented and photographed in his Bearography.

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