A teddy bear from Cumbria is launching into space to raise cash for charity . 

Terence, an experienced traveller who has been to Iraq, will be the guest of honour on aviation legend Burt Rutan's Spaceship One when it flies above Earth. The mission takes off from California on September 29, and on his return the cuddly toy will be auctioned off in aid of the North Air Ambulance Appeal . 

Spaceship One is the world's first private spacecraft, and is competing for a prestigious space travel prize. Chief executive of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), Graham Pickering, said "flying officer" Terence had been handed over to the RAF six months ago and staff had been receiving postcards from him ever since. 

He said, "Terence was a fundraising idea that really took off. We have received pictures of him in a U2 craft, trying parachuting and even looking drunk and disorderly. When the RAF finally discharge him he will be a very rare bear indeed--we just hope he does not burn up on re-entry to Earth." 

GNAAS, which needs charitable donations of more than PS2m a year, has three air ambulances . 

Peter Bond, spokesman for the Royal Astronomical Society, said Terence's safety was not guaranteed. He said, "This is a new and experimental craft and this will only be the second time it has flown. During its first voyage it developed technical problems but hopefully they have now been resolved." 

Since May, Terence has spent time with members of 100 Squadron based at RAF Leeming in Basra, Iraq, and at air shows with performing fighter planes. 

Spaceship One will fly 100km (62 miles) above the Earth's surface, just breaking through the planet's atmosphere. 

If it repeats the feat inside two weeks, it will claim the $10m Ansari X-Prize set up to encourage the private space flight business.
Who will be the honorary guest on the spaceship?
What's the vessel's name?
Is it public or private?
Is it in a contest?
What toy is he taking to space?
Where's it from?
What's he going to do with it upon getting back to Earth?
Who'll get the cash from it?
Who speaks for the Royal Astronomical Society?
Does he promise Terence will survive?
How many times has that ship been in the air?
Did the first trip go well?
Why not?
Is it an old craft?
Who has Terence been hanging out with since May?
Where are they based?
Isn't that in Iraq?
Whereabouts there?
How high with Spaceship One go above our planet?
What's the amount of the prize they're trying to win?
Terence
Terence, an experienced traveller who has been to Iraq, will be the guest of honour on aviation legend Burt Rutan's Spaceship One
Spaceship One
Burt Rutan's Spaceship One
private
Spaceship One is the world's first private spacecraft
yes
f it repeats the feat inside two weeks, it will claim the $10m Ansari X-Prize
A teddy bear
A teddy bear from Cumbria is launching into space
Cumbria
A teddy bear from Cumbria
it will be auctioned off
on his return the cuddly toy will be auctioned off
the North Air Ambulance Appeal .
 auctioned off in aid of the North Air Ambulance Appeal . 

Peter Bond
Peter Bond, spokesman for the Royal Astronomical Society
no
Peter Bond, spokesman for the Royal Astronomical Society, said Terence's safety was not guaranteed
once
this will only be the second time it has flown
no
During its first voyage it developed technical problems
it developed technical problems
During its first voyage it developed technical problems
no
"This is a new and experimental craft
with members of 100 Squadron
Since May, Terence has spent time with members of 100 Squadron
at RAF Leeming
100 Squadron based at RAF Leeming
yes
RAF Leeming in Basra, Iraq
in Basra
in Basra, Iraq
100km (62 miles)
Spaceship One will fly 100km (62 miles) above the Earth's surface
$10m
the $10m Ansari X-Prize