YES! Basingstoke is actually the local hub of a great bunch of Holidays4Heroes supporters! Hugs and Honey to you all.
Cpl HORSA now reports from that location .....
I arrived at The Bead Base at Basepoint just in time for lunch. I took up my position at the till again (Image 1), this time in the company of a rather puny PTI bear. This bear will remain at The Bead Base guarding the collecting tin after I am gone. I hope he doesn't show off too much. He was busy flexing his muscles to try and impress the customers the last time I saw him ... but he hasn't got a medal for a tour in Afghanistan!
I popped along to reception to say ‘Hi' to Anne and Debbie and was welcomed with big hugs and a mint imperial. My new trousers were much admired and stroked. It was enough to make a Bear blush! The Basepoint girls have donated a morning's or afternoon's use of their conference room to be auctioned.
On Friday, Sue had to go for a physio session and I went along with her. The moaning and groaning was just terrible as Jenny, the physio, worked on my leg. (Image 2) She'd noticed a slight limp when I entered the treatment room and insisted on giving my leg a little massage. She was most impressed when I told her my war stories and informed her my limp was a result of injuries sustained in Afghanistan - and so she should!
I decided to make use of the new barbers at Basepoint run by Linda and Claire who have kindly donated a cut and blow dry to be auctioned. Emperors is a new men's grooming facility - I settled for them trimming around and in my ears but declined the back, sack and crack wax that was on offer! Being the owner of a pair of fairly stiff trousers I thought the chaffing might be a little unbearable. (Images 3 and 4)
Saturday I spent a whole day with the adorable Molly Roche, whose mum runs Nancyz Crafts, who kindly invited me to her school fete and then to her birthday BBQ. I was extremely popular and had many photos taken. (Images 5 to 12)
Sunday, Sue decided that a trip to the garden centre was needed. I decided to drive. (Image 13) When we had loaded up the car with our goodies I felt it only prudent to take up position to ensure that the tomato plants did not tumble over as we drove home. (Image 14)
Once back at the house I was kitted out with a set of tools as befitting the stature of a small Bear and we started gardening. (Image 15)
After a couple of hours pruning and planting a rest break was in order.
(Images 16 and 17)
And after dinner I managed to spend a while watching TV with another inhabitant of the house. (Image 18)
Back at Basepoint on Tuesday, Sue decided to introduce me to some of the other businesses on the site, which allowed me to put my considerable charm to good use. The Wheel Experts had me buffing the bonnet of a BMW and admiring their alloys! (Images 19 and 20) The guys also donated a car valeting session for auction. Hype photographer Stewart kindly donated a family portrait session for auction. Dawn at Jayne Anne's Bridal, immediately fell in love with me! She phoned some of her contacts and was able to garner some amazing items to be auctioned. Thank you Dawn xxx
Back at The Bead Base I was put to work ordering beads, working on the till, making jewellery and reading the latest beading press. (Images 21 and 22) During a quiet period I even got to play a game of Star Wars Monopoly with my new friend Lusy. (Images 23 and 24) I don't think she took kindly to losing, but we parted on good terms. (Image 25)
Sadly my time at The Bead Base once again came to an end and I now continue on my travels, in the company of Grownup_Rafbrat, as an Am'Bear'assador for Sgt Slingsby.
I would like to extend my heartfelt ‘Beary' thanks to all the businesses at Basepoint who donated goods and services as items to be auctioned for The Cause.
Thanks must go from Basepoint, to:
- The Steam Experts - Car valet worth £20 (Part of the HLH Services Ltd group)
- Hype Creative Photography - Portrait family session Click here
- Basepoint - AM or PM use of a conference room Click here
- Nosh - Lunch to go with barber session
- Jayne Ann's Bridal - Click here
- Emperors Barbers
- Scentsations - Bouquet to the value £60 Click here
- Hawk Conservancy - Season ticket (2 adults and 2 children) Click here
- Cruickshank's Cakes - Click here
- Balloons for ‘U' - Bouquet of balloons Click here
- Bridehair - Hair or make-up to the value of £60 Click here
[Ed: And enormous Hugs and Honey to you Ladies for everything you have done, and are doing, for holidays4heroes.
And the folks in Basingstoke are fantastic - THANK YOU!! XXXXX]
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Holidays 4 Heroes is an informal group of people that assists wounded service personnel and their families get a precious break from the routine of rehab, hospital appointments and visits to welfare offices by facilitating holidays away from it all in accommodation donated by our sponsors in the UK and abroad. 
Deals with the cases that either lie outside the normal remit of the main Service Charities, or require a faster response than they can usually provide. Sometimes the cases require financial assistance, a little bit of nudging in the right direction for long-term help, or the application of a bit of expertise.