Brave Ewell bear returns home after tour in Afghanistan

Given the very real dangers posed by the Taliban in Helmand province, Stevie Sapphire was even fitted-out with his own bullet proof vest but bravely refused to carry a weapon, even for personal protection.

As the much-loved mascot of Sapphire class at Ewell Grove Infant School in Ewell, he is quite used to going on holiday with pupils which has seen him jetting off as far as Sydney in Australia and he is a regular visitor to France and Spain.

However his latest adventure saw Stevie going on active service accompanying Corporal Dulcie Speer during a six month tour of Afghanistan.

Class teacher Debbie Waldron who has been sending Stevie home with her pupils for the last eight years said she couldn’t refuse when Corporal Speer, the daughter of her teaching assistant, offered to take him with her to the front line at Camp Leatherneck - a US marine base.

She said: “I sent him out in October half term and he was out there until just before Christmas. The Americans first thought 'what is this all about ?' and then they thought it was a fantastic idea.

She sent me back a lovely letter and pictures of this bear sitting in an American helicopter and sitting in an army lorry. She popped into the classroom last week in her uniform.

The children responded really well and were so excited to see her and were asking her lots of questions. They were very excited to have him back because he had been away for nearly three months.”

The bear holds particular meaning for Mrs Waldron who was given the bear by her parents when she was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six months pregnant 15 years ago.

She added: “He is very special to me. He’s had a couple of stitches but so far he ok and is really very treasured. He stays in the class room and only goes home at weekends and he is quite well looked after.

I make it known to the children to look after him as if he was a treasured toy of their own.”