Baxterbear’s Testimonials

I think Baxterbears bring happiness wherever they go

Baxterbear TREEKLED provided great support to all taking part in Bike2Bennecourt, The Coldstream Guards Fundraising Bike Ride in September 2014. In aid of The Coldstream Guards Charitable Fund which helps the physically and mentally wounded and bereaved families, as well as other Coldstreamers in need, the ride went from Wellington Barracks in London to Bennecourt near Paris.

Baxterbear TREEKLED was brilliant! He paraded in Maidstone where The Regimental Band of The Coldstream Guards played at the lunchtime stop on the first day and again at Hesdin and Gisors during the Band concerts where we stayed overnight in France. He entertained the crowds and helped us with our fundraising! Baxterbear’s were evident along the way – many cyclists had them on their bikes at various times; support crew vehicles had them displayed in their windows … he was very evident and extremely helpful.  Many thanks Baxterbear; your help is greatly appreciated.

The Twakutukuza Trust organised a Baxterbear Teddy Bears Picnic at Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya for sick children in the Oncology Ward. The Twakutukuza Trust (www.twatrust.org) was founded by a breast cancer survivor named Doris Mayoli. The Trust raises money and provides moral and financial support for Kenyans who cannot afford cancer treatment.

Baxterbear teddy bears for the children, and the children coloured in Baxterbear pictures there was also entertainment for the children with a special Baxterbear afternoon tea (his favourite meal) was indeed a very special day.

From the event, the Trust were able to raise money to clear the hospital bills of some of the children who cannot afford to pay or who have been abandoned, including one child who was “stuck” there and unable to leave due to outstanding bills. We also want to continue to spread awareness of the disease and of Twa Trust, who can provide support. With the launch of the Africa Cancer Foundation, Baxterbear was delighted to be able to help make a difference and return to Kenya where he spent many years.

I am delighted to be Baxterbear’s leading hairstylist; we are definitely the best of travelling friends. I am TREEKLED to have known him since 2009 before his debut. I always take Baxterbears with me to make a difference with his nine philosophies. Baxterbear is ageless – that makes him a great present for people of all ages.

Parcels4Troops wish to thank Baxterbear for all his fundraising support. The troops in Afghanistan have benefited from the goodie boxes over the many Christmases we have sent to them and Baxterbear has made a difference as many went out and been a great help! We wish Baxterbear a Merry Christmas and a TREEKLED New Year from everyone at Parcels4Troops.

The fundraising team at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice would like to thank Baxterbear for coming along to Brent Cross Shopping Centre during Hospice Care Week to help launch our charity partnership with the Centre. You delighted both young and old with your cheery wave and friendly nature and helped us raise much-needed funds and awareness. You were a really big ‘hit’ and we are looking forward to working with you again soon.

In 2008 I was introduced to Daisy Tate. Having then been “introduced” to Baxterbear I knew Baxterbear would be perfect to partnership with Rotary International. We agreed Baxterbear would join us in the “End Polio Now” campaign and be the recipient of Baxterbear sales in our partnership with Baxterbear. This was approved by my own Club, The Rotary Club of Glasgow, adopted by RIBI District 1230 and approved by the RIBI Council.

The resulting publicity ensured that not only Rotary Clubs in District 1230 become involved in raising funds for The End Polio Now Campaign but more importantly encouraged other Rotary Clubs and Districts in RIBI to become involved and “adopt” Baxterbear. Rotary Clubs throughout the world are now aware of Baxterbear and I am delighted that a spontaneous suggestion has resulted in sales of Baxterbear being used to fund so many worthwhile causes throughout the world.

The Trades House of Glasgow Annual Charity Ball, this year in aid of Combat Stress was held at the Glasgow Hilton on 11th May 2013. The organisers were delighted that Baxterbear was able to fit the event in to his busy schedule and join in the fun. He mingled with the great and the good and encouraged the party goers to part with their hard earned cash in aid of a very worthy cause. He was particularly popular with the young ladies and was surrounded a bevy of beauties all vying for his attention and wanting to be photographed with him. He promoted our Baxterbear raffle and nearly everyone went home with a small Baxterbear which will act as a reminder of a fun evening with a serious mission – to raise funds for Combat Stress and the upgrading of their treatment centre at Hollybush House near Ayr.

I have been extremely impressed with Baxterbear. In a highly specialised industry, they seized quickly on the opportunities and issues and put together a comprehensive idea. Their high-energy and analytic skills allowed them to present to me a completely different way of looking at opportunities  and I am now leveraging their talent and I am  very pleased with their results! It would be great to see Baxterbear at a major event like the Dubai Rugby 7s to further promote their good work. After doing an Event here with Baxterbear which was a great success.

I believe the children are our future… I believe each and every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world and like Baxterbear a mission to make a difference. I will help children to develop their potential by believing in them as capable individuals. The 9 philosophies of Baxterbear have been a great help and will assist children in discovering who they are, so they can express their own opinions and nurture their own ideas. I have a vision of a world where people learn to respect, accept, and embrace the differences between us, as the core of what makes life so fascinating. Love Baxterbear making a difference !

Winner of the ITIJ International Air Ambulance Provider of the Year Award 2011

“Baxterbear first came out to visit us in 2009. He chatted to all the nurses and even spent time in the Control Room. He climbed all over the aircraft and was once found in the Pilot’s seat learning to fly!

In all seriousness, Baxterbear is a focal point, especially for sick children. Somehow the sight of the little chap, with his injury patch on his shoulder, is something the children can focus on and it distracts them from the trouble they are having in their own little worlds.

Baxterbear made a significant difference to a large number of children who were in a cancer ward in the local Government Hospital. A wonderful Australian lady by the name of Bridey organised a “Teddy Bears’ picnic” for the children, many of whom were far from home and their parents were too poor to afford the travel costs of visiting them. Baxterbear had tea outside with them and they all went back to their hospital beds clutching little Baxterbears. Many of these children had never even owned a toy before, and they will probably remember their picnic with the little fellow for a very long time.

As well as his missions with the Flying Doctors, Baxterbear has been a loyal supporter of AMREF in the UK, taking part in an African Family Day at Goodwood where he was very popular with the younger guests, as well as promoting a Stand Up for African Mothers comedy gig at the Edinburgh Festival.

A very big Thank You to Baxterbear from everyone at AMREF Flying Doctors

It was a pleasure and delight to have Baxterbear at the Sunday Brunch Club’s Grand Hogmanay Ball ( New Years Eve Ball). Baxterbear made a difference helping raise for It’s Good to Give Edinburgh’s Children’s Cancer Charity. More than that though people really love Baxterbear. It’s not just children, adults adore him too. Baxterbear embodied the joy and love that It’s Good to Give supports. I would highly recommend partnering with Baxterbear to support your charitable fundraising.

Baxterbear is an old friend of the Gurkhas and we are therefore delighted to see him back in Edinburgh. The Gurkhas first met him in the jungles of Burma, wounded and hanging from a tree by his parachute.

Having cut him down, the Gurkhas’ special friendship with Baxterbear developed over the many days that they spent together, trekking through a jungle swarming with the enemy in order to get Pilot Baxter to the nearest hospital before it was too late. This friendship, based on mutual respect, a shared love of adventure and a common determination to be positive about every misfortune, endures.

Baxterbear is a Gurkha in spirit and we wish him well in the many adventures that lie ahead.

It was fantastic the Baxterbear was able to help us at the Armed Forces Charity Test, at Murrayfield on 17 November 2012. Baxterbear was a key part of helping us promote the event, by taking part in the Mascots Challenge a few days before the match, joining the mascots from Help for Heroes, Edinburgh Rugby and the Glasgow Warriors, plus a large number of personnel from all three Services. On the day of the match itself, Baxterbear met with the crowd and helped encourage them to support the Service Charities, using his larger than life character and outgoing friendly nature. He also had the opportunity to be in the Stadium at half time and helped to raise the profile of our event.

It is important to the Armed Services and our charities that Baxterbear helps us gain the recognition that our people deserve. We were very grateful for his time; many members of the public were “treekled” to meet him, understand what he does and have their photos taken with him. Most important, the Service Personnel were so pleased to have his support and know that he is on their side. Hopefully Baxterbear will be able to join us again, when we repeat the event next year.

It was great to see Baxterbear in the hanger today and there was a great reaction from the team including the directors to the staff, who have snapped up the Baxterbear’s which were donated to raise immediate funds for the Vulcan.  Our Chief Engineer, Taff had fun finding novel places for the photographs and our volunteer team were very proud to have their photographs taken with Baxterbear – as was I.

I am writing to offer the thanks from all Rotarians throughout Great Britain, Ireland and beyond for the tremendous support that Baxterbear has given in our drive to rid the world of polio.

During my District Governor period of office our Rotary President of Great Britain and Ireland Ray Burman and his wife Victoria took Baxterbear’s lead, encouraged by Rotarians in Glasgow, to set Baxterbear free in the world of Rotary International. He has subsequently travelled around the globe with us and made friends where ever he has accompanied Rotarians. Including America where he met the world President of Rotary International Kalyan Banerjee and again in Bangkok mingling with 35,000 Rotarians at the annual convention.

Personally I was amazed by his energy and enthusiasm when he escorted the team of ageing Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Newton Stewart in their three mountain challenge and enabled us to record an outstanding time and record fundraising whilst trekking Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden.

Photographs will follow as I am sure they will from Rotarians across the world.

We are making fantastic success with our End Polio Now programme and are down to the last three countries. The end is in sight and Baxterbear is very much a part of this success. Together we are making a difference to people’s lives and I am pleased to have the opportunity as a Rotarian to acknowledge the terrific contribution of Baxterbear and thank him. Please continue your great work.

Baxterbear definitely brightened the place up around the Search and Rescue Flight today. He certainly seemed at home on the helicopter – In fact, due to a shortage of winchmen, we are considering recruiting him to help out!! On a serious note – Baxterbear represents many charities and we are always more than happy support his excellent work.

It’s been fantastic having Baxterbear around the Search and Rescue Flight today. He brought a smile to everyone and really looked the part next to our helicopter. He represents some extremely worthy charities and we’ll be doing our very best to get his smaller brother flying on some of our future Search and Rescue missions soon.

It has been an honour to have Baxterbear join us on our monumental march from Coldstream to London. His support to soldiers is ‘second to none’ and to us who marched it brought us closer to our brother Coldstreamers who are fighting in Afghanistan. The support that Baxterbear has given has a direct effect on those who are injured or affected by war through ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and other service charities. We all carried a small Baxterbear on our daysacks throughout our march to show our support to him. We were delighted to see that many children, most whose loved ones were serving abroad, had also decided to carry them on their schoolbags.

In a similar way to Baxterbear I am amazed at the incredible things that people can do when they believe and trust in themselves; but more importantly when it improves the trust and belief that one can have in others. ‘Buttons in Two’s’ tells the tale of physical adversity, friendship and trust with our fellow soldiers and of course Baxterbear.

Thank you Baxterbear! My children loved hearing all about Edinburgh, particularly as my husband and I were in Edinburgh many years ago. Family friends recently travelled to the UK, including Edinburgh, and returned home with copies of your stories. The kids were truly engaged all the way through the story, eager to hear what was going to happy next. They love the fact that you are a less then perfect bear with your torn ear. This resonates particularly for my son who is quite short for his age, so he knows what its like to be a little bit different. He’s also started telling me that he too gets very confuddled! As for me, the stories are such a great size — not only physically but the length is terrific. As a career mum, it’s really important for me to be able to spend quality time with my children, and invariably this means a bedtime story. I am always on the lookout for stories that are engaging and really make my children ‘think’! So thank you Baxterbear and I hope to hear more about your tales.

Baxterbear joined us in Patrol Base Nahidullah, South West Babaji. This was my Company Headquarters between Oct 10 and Apr 11″. “Baxterbear has been a huge morale boost to deployed soldiers and helps to connect them with their loved ones at home”. “Baxterbear has given us all an opportunity to take a light hearted break from the rigors of operations!”. “Baxterbear has brought much delight and comfort to the children of deployed fathers

I think I understand Baxterbear. I too have jumped out of a damaged plane in a foreign land and landed in trees. I hung there for a while and it does focus the mind on life in general. Baxterbear’s survival and subsequent rescue is a much more exciting story than mine of course — the French found me! I have seen Baxterbear at various events in the UK raising money for the armed forces charities and can vouch for his huge popularity and sense of fun. At RAF Leuchars recently he was never frightened with the noise of the Typhoon and he spent a lot of time with the young people who came up to speak to him and take his photograph — he never speaks of course but understands everything. We will see him supporting the armed forces once again on 17 November when he will be at Murrayfield Rugby Ground to watch Scotland v South Africa. Be there and don’t miss this epic match. Carry on with your great work Baxterbear.

My name is Graham and I am based in Afghanistan with the Apache helicopter force. We have received numerous packets of shortbread from yourself . I wish to say thank you for showing we are not forgotten out here especially during this festive time.

The shortbread have been shared out amongst the Apache groundcrew and been devoured at a startling rate that would amaze Baxterbear. There is nothing better for the groundcrew to come in at 4 in the morning after sitting under a helicopter disc at a windchill temperature of minus 7 for 20 minutes and having a brew with a few shortbread before going out again.

The Baxterbears you sent out with the shortbread are worn on the ground crew coveralls so he is always in the thick of the action. I am sorry to say that due to his size and for reasons of flight safety he cannot go flying in case he goes for a wonder in the cockpit and gets stuck in the controls. I hope he understands.

Gencourse Barracks Edinburgh United Kingdom I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all involved with Baxterbear for your continued support to 2 SCOTS. You do it all for our soldiers and their families, especially their children. You have provided a number of story telling activities at our community centre and our local Schools. We have Baxterbear with the Battalion in Afghanistan this has allowed our unit to send pictures back to our local schools of Baxterbear with the parents of children attending those schools. It has allowed the children to focus on the war torn environment through the eyes of Baxterbear and not the realities of war and the dangers that their parents face.

I personally, feel that the support you have provided has been fantastic and it has benefited our children enormously. Please thank all at Baxterbear for everything you have provided so far and we welcome your continued support for 2 SCOTS until the end of the tour and well into the future.

Baxterbear is a phenomena. He works tirelessly all over the world bringing joy, support and fun to all those touched by the armed forces, from soldiers to their children. I had the pleasure of Baxterbear’s company at the Rockingham race circuit in Northamptonshire, for their leg of the British touring car championship. He was there raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund and supporting the RAF parachute display team. Thousands of visitors passed through the gates that day and Baxterbear made sure he was on hand to meet and greet as many of those visitors he could and raise money for his worthy cause. Take a step back and review what Baxterbear has done for armed forces fund raising over the past few years and you will be staggered. I was.

My family has owned the pharmacy in Portobello High Street for over thirty years and having served the local community for so long, I have come to know many patients and their families well. A large part of my job is speaking to patients about their medicines and how they work. Many people have concerns about how they take their medicines, what the side effects might be and what other medicines and foods they may have to avoid. Some children especially can be reluctant to take medicines because they don’t understand why they have to take them or why they are different from their friends. However, once they understand that medicines make them better and not different they are much happier to take them. In fact many children are able to manage their illness and their medicines themselves and often keep me right! The Baxterbear story, “A friend indeed for those in need” is a wonderful way for children to realise that having an illness doesn’t make them different and actually make them special since they are looking after themselves in a very grown up way. It also lets them know that there lots of people who are there to care for them and look after them. We have been handing out copies of the Baxterbear story “A friend indeed for those in need” to children who come into our pharmacy and many have said how much they have enjoyed reading them. I am also sure that they have picked up a very important message about illness and their attitudes to it.

Communications on health matters needs to be clear, and appealing, and accessible to all. Baxterbear is a super example of how health messages can be made attractive.

It gives me great pleasure to confirm the tremendous utility of the Baxterbear stories in terms of delivering key educational points to youngsters about interface with healthcare providers and highlighting the benefits of things like Medic Alert services. The use of the character itself is a cornerstone of this utility. The additional paramedical applications are numerous and there are many opportunities for Baxterbear to talk to children about these in a safe, positive and engaging way, dispelling myths and gently opening their eyes to the different types of help available nowadays, whatever the matter.

Dear Baxterbear Just the other day my niece was telling me, very enthusiastically, she has read your stories, especially the one set in a hospital and suggested that I should read it, since I am a doctor. I have to say I found it very intelligent and useful. It shows the human face of our very often mistreated profession. Indeed doctors and nurses are always willing to help children, and grown-ups too, although they are very busy. This bear can be a good companion for children in hospital, a teddy bear to cuddle and stroke when the little patient feels sad and lonely. From a psychological point of view he could give a helpful hand to parents and relatives who cannot be in hospital all the time. The stories, which are well written and pleasant to read, can be shared by all the little patients in our hospital. Considering our children’s department has a well-stocked library, Baxterbear stories will enrich our shelves for sure. I’m not a paediatrician myself, but I want to pass the information to the Paediatric department. By the way are the stories distributed and sold in Italy? Are they only in English or in other languages too? Are there any other stories related to the medical world? It would be nice if you could drop me a few lines as an answer. Thank you very much!”

From the medical point of view, I have sought advice from the Murrayfield Medical Practice in respect of having the relevant literature freely available to patients with children awaiting consultation with their own doctors. The content of the ‘Baxterbear’ illustration and literature would, in my opinion, be of considerable interest to both children and parents in that any anxiety they may have could be lessened, thereby making the subsequent consultation with their doctor that much easier. I was senior partner in this practice until my retirement. My main medical interest was in paediatrics. I shall be following your project with considerable interest and hope that I will hear more about ‘Baxterbear’ in the near future.

As a former university lecturer and practicing physiotherapist, I would commend the value of Baxterbear short story books. These could be an inspiration in encouraging reading habits, a good back-up for self reading by patients and others. (Especially useful for hospital visits and stays.) A good idea – especially in the form of a continuous service and at an affordable cost for a broad consumer base.

You see everywhere books for adults written as if they were for children or children’s books teaching adults how to master life , with speaking pigs, whispering horses, walking dogs. I confess I was sort of prejudiced against stories about a flying bear but I have to say that right after reading the first lines I had the feeling I was reading something different. Baxterbear was not teaching anything to me: I was learning with him. That’s the big difference. Baxterbear is the ideal friend for someone who wants to brush up their English, learn in a funny way what a sundowner is and at the same time travel the world with a flying bear and experience new cultures! I am constantly on the move and even though I always have my laptop and my blackberry with me, reminding me of the tons of things I have to do, I find myself browsing at airport bookshops looking for light but not stupid entertainment¦ and I would grab Baxterbear’s stories without hesitating! And if I had children, they would read these stories too, but only after I’m done with them!

Baxterbear is following in the footsteps of Laurel & Hardy, Sir Sean Connery and Michael Douglas by taking up residence at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel. Having been a regular visitor since the 1930s, and a true afficionado of the Caley’s afternoon tea (and the rather special shortbread!), it is fitting that Baxterbear is returning to his home away from home. Baxterbear has secured a loyal following at the hotel and beyond. We hosted an introduction to Baxterbear in the run up to Hogmanay last year and the demand for Baxterbear and his stories was incredible. Our bellman Billy features in some of the stories and is already starting to gather a small Baxterbear fanbase.

Baxterbear symbolizes compassion , bravery,warmth and leadership…. amongst many other things. I will pass his unique story on to my patients and distribute the Baxterbears in my GP Surgery and increase awarens of him amongst the Medical fraternity. He’s an inspiration to children and will continue to create smile and strength amongst his followers!

A happy fluffy bear… There is no question that he is a people magnet.But a miracle happens when they get close to him. They notice something unexpected from such an adorable bear, a torn ear. Quite naturally kids and grown-up’s ask with curiosity and compassion, “What happened to him?” It is this curiosity and compassion that creates a special moment where sharing the Baxterbear’s life adventures, not always easy ones, leads us into caring conversations on worries, troubles, pains, and, lastly, but not the least, hope. Thank you, Baxterbear, for reminding us to pause in this fast paced society to attend to and care for our own concerns and others’ with a positive and kind outlook.

Polio is a highly infectious disease. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Resistance to the virus in the body can be stimulated by immunisation and the disease loses its power. When I studied medicine in the UK in the 1960’s there were no new cases being seen because of the immunisation campaign which had taken place in developed countries. However, working in Nigeria, Uganda and Ruanda in the 1960’s and 1970’s, I often saw affected children suffering as they still are in some parts of the world today. In the 1970s routine immunization with oral polio vaccine was encouraged world-wide with excellent results. Widespread acceptance of immunisation in rural as well as urban populations could lead to its eradication once and for all. Dispelling prejudice and ignorance about the vaccine will be vital to achieve that goal. Baxterbear step forward, please!

Mutual respect, shared love of adventure and a determination to be courageous and positive in the face of adversity, misfortune and difficult times are what identify Baxterbear as a friend and mascot to the many servicemen and women serving their country around the world. Baxterbear does all he can to make a difference to people’s lives. He is always by your side and when you are far away from your family and friends, he becomes a much needed companion, listener and confidante. We are delighted that Baxterbear continues to support and offer friendship to the Armed Forces and others he is involved with daily. Not only does he raise vital money for these causes but his individually tailored story books allow him to offer support and encouragement to those who need it most.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is delighted to have Baxterbear as the mascot for the 2010 British Military Tournament. He will add much to the overall event as well as appearing in the finale on each performance. He has an interesting and evocative story and this is his attraction. We are witnessing appalling weather at the moment which resembles that which we had in January of this year when Baxterbear marched from the Borders to London with the Coldstream Guards. It is therefore very fitting that he should be reunited with his friends in the Coldstream Guards who are not only guarding the Queen but guarding Baxterbear during the Tournament. Come to the British Military Tournament and meet Baxterbear

It’s fantastic to see Baxterbear again, both in the snow and this time in London! We have watched his growing popularity keenly over the last year and are as proud as ever to have him with us here today; a fantastic ambassador for so many of those in need.

I have been suggested to open your website by a friend of mine who is in love with Baxterbear. She asked to read the story related to MedicAlert. I read the other ones too of course since I am a doctor and was sure I could be interested especially in it. The stories are really nice, easy and pleasant to read. I work in a hospital in the north of Italy, I don’t deal directly with children, but I think it would be nice to forward the story to children in the Pediatric department: to enjoy them while in hospital.

I am more than just pleased that Baxterbear is getting some recognition for his efforts. All I can say is that Baxterbear is one of the most interactive and constructive parts of the essential fundraising efforts that ABF benefits from. Baxterbear supports soldiers and their families in keeping up the essential element of morale for soldiers in the frontline and for the families at home as he links them all together under the umbrella of support ABF offers. Baxterbear is more than an idea of help he is a force for good in the Army family. Keep up the good and necessary work.

In my experience as a GP and Psychiatrist to children and adults including those with a life long learning disability I can recommend the Baxterbear stories as they provide reassurance and simple explanations of attending Doctors surgeries and becoming an inpatient. The link to medical charities such as MedicAlert is relevant not only to children but to my patients of any age who are of limited intellectual abilities. Many of our patients are epileptic and have other conditions such as diabetes which can be aided by use of the MedicAlert system. Encouragement to do this could be aided by getting to know Baxterbear.

It has been an honour to have Baxterbear join us on our monumental march from Coldstream to London. His support to soldiers is ‘second to none’ and to us who marched it brought us closer to our brother Coldstreamers who are fighting in Afghanistan. The support that Baxterbear has given has a direct effect on those who are injured or affected by war through ABF The Soldiers Charity and other service charities. We all carried a small Baxterbear on our daysacks throughout our march to show our support to him. We were delighted to see that many children, most whose loved ones were serving abroad, had also decided to carry them on their schoolbags. In a similar way to Baxterbear I am amazed at the incredible things that people can do when they believe and trust in themselves; but more importantly when it improves the trust and belief that one can have in others. Buttons in Two’s tells the tale of physical adversity, friendship and trust with our fellow soldiers and of course Baxterbear.

Don’t forget the communities of Scots abroad especially like us who work in hospitals for those who will make good use of the Baxterbear Stories and what about use in primary schools. He would be very popular in Hamish and Fergus’s school her on the Peak in Hong Kong!