YOUNGSTERS waved Tudur the bear on his way to Afghanistan after a teddy-themed party at Hounslow Barracks on Saturday (February 25).
The farewell ceremony at the base in Beavers Lane, Hounslow West, was held to prepare Army children for their parents’ departure later this month.
Members of the First Battalion, the Welsh Guards, will begin making their way to Lashkar Gar, in Afghanistan, during the coming fortnight for a six-month tour of duty.
Tudur, a traditional Welsh name, is joining them out there so he can update children who are missing their mummy or daddy and answer their questions about life in Afghanistan.
The party was organised to help prepare the youngsters for what is bound to be an emotional farewell when their parents make the long journey.
Tudur is the third bear to join the battalion as part of the scheme dreamed up by Sue Bazan, of the Army Welfare Service.
“It’s a way to emotionally support the children while their parents are away,” she said. “Six months is a long time to be without your father or mother and children naturally associate Afghanistan with danger and fear of the unknown. Their questions range from how do you get there and what do you eat to will daddy lose his legs.
“Tudur will respond to all questions and will always tell the truth. For example, he would never answer ‘no’ to the last question but would try to reassure the child about the support available. Children become so concerned about the bear that it helps put their worries about daddy or mummy to the back of their mind.”
Lieutenant Dan Bell will help Tudur respond to any letters and will also send back photos of the bear throughout the tour. About 25 children enjoyed Saturday’s party, which included teddy-themed games and a puppet show.
The Chronicle reported last month how soldiers at the barracks, where the battalion has been based for almost a year, have been recording bedtime stories for their young ones to listen to during their absence.
Memorial garden created at barracks - see page 2
SOLDIERS and their families helped create a memorial garden at the barracks last week.
Volunteers planted a mixture of cherry trees, maples and willows in the grounds as part of the national Big Tree Plant campaign.
They later attached goodwill messages to the branches for soldiers from the barracks preparing to deploy to Afghanistan.
Debbie Valman, of environmental charity Groundwork Thames Valley, which helped organise the planting, said: “We were planting this area so it would become an inviting place for the families to use and enjoy.
“In fact that was happening even as we planted, with picnics appearing and children running in and out of the trees.”
