SuperTed episode to recall organ hero, 7
SUPERTED creator Mike Young has teamed up with a family to create a new character based on a “superhero” little boy who died aged seven.
Mike is creating a new episode of SuperTed based on the story of a little boy who helped save other lives after he died.
Fraser Bates and his dad, Stuart, 43, were killed as they crossed the A4119 in Llantrisant just weeks before Christmas in 2015. Fraser’s nickname was “Bear”. After his death his organs were donated and he helped save at least four lives.
His mum, Anna-Louise Bates, set up a charity called Believe in their memory. Now SuperTed creator Mike is creating a new informative episode which will be free to watch online, following the adventures of Fraser Bear.
Anna-Louise has been in talks with Mike for a year about the project but their connection actually goes further back.
She said: “My dad used to have the licence for SuperTed and after all that happened he suggested trying to speak to Mike, but he now lives in LA. Dad tried to get in contact with him but couldn’t, and then I heard that my former councillor, Phil Bale, had met him.”
He shared Mike’s e-mail and the pair began talking about how they could team up.
“Mike was just so kind the first time that I spoke to him and he explained how he used to live by Llantrisant Road and he wanted to see what he could do to help. It was his idea to make this public service announcement.”
Anna-Louise then wrote the script, which has been approved by the council’s education department and the NHS, before visiting five Cardiff schools to find the perfect voices for the bear. From the schools 200 pupils auditioned.
Ysgol Plasmawr translated the script into Welsh and its pupils auditioned for the Welsh-language role. Next was an audition for the final 10 before two children were picked. They have now recorded the script and Mike is making the animation, which he hopes will be ready by spring next year.
Around two weeks ago Anna-Louise and Mike met for the first time.
The final look of the bear isn’t yet known, but it will be a computergenerated bear spreading the message of organ donation in a popular Welsh location.
The idea is that it can be shown in schools, but also that parents will sit down to watch it with their children.
Fraser’s sister, Elizabeth, has got on board with the new animation.
After telling her mum they were learning about SuperTed in school, Mike met Elizabeth.
Anna-Louise added: “He told her he was going to be bringing the Fraser Believe Bear to life. So she now knows what a superhero her brother was.”