A new member of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s fundraising team is looking forward to spreading the word about the work of the lifesaving service – but he or she needs a name.
The charity’s new recruit is a paramedic bear mascot and it will be at events all over the county promoting Wiltshire Air Ambulance, starting next week during national Air Ambulance Week.
The charity is seeking names for the mascot and will run an online competition starting at 6pm on Thursday, September 15 and closing at midnight on Sunday, September 18.
Entries can be made on the charity’s Facebook and Twitter links (www.facebook.com/wiltshireairambulance and www.twitter.com/WiltsAirAmbu)
The winner will be invited to meet the mascot at the charity’s Operations Centre in Devizes.
The mascot is sponsored by Soft Options Water Softeners Ltd, a family run business based in Burbage. Soft Options supply and install water softening and drinking water filtration/purification products for both domestic and commercial use.
Rebecca de la Bedoyere, senior fundraising manager at WAA, said: “We are excited about having our own mascot and we’d like to thank Soft Options Water Softeners Ltd for kindly sponsoring it.
“Just like us, they are an organisation that is firmly rooted here in Wiltshire, and they have brought plenty of ideas and enthusiasm to the partnership.
“Our mascot is fun, eye-catching and will play a major role in the many fundraising and community events we attend across Wiltshire throughout the year.
“Its design is based on our paramedic teddy bear cuddly toy and paramedic key ring, which are popular items of our merchandise.
“Our mascot has its own diary, so if you are holding a fundraising event for Wiltshire Air Ambulance please contact us and, subject to availability, our mascot could be in attendance.
“But before our mascot can start work we need a name for it. If you’ve got an idea for a name, please enter our online competition.”
Alison Cook, director of Soft Options Water Softeners Ltd, said: “The mascot looks fantastic and we are proud to be sponsoring it.
“Having lived in Wiltshire all our lives we know of the good work and excellent service provided by Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
“We feel it is such a privilege to work with the charity and give something back to the community.”
The mascot’s first week of engagements will see it at street collections for WAA during Air Ambulance Week: Monday, September 19 at Wilton Shopping Village, Salisbury, 10am to 3pm; Tuesday, September 20 The Maltings, Salisbury, 8am to 4pm; Friday, September 23 at Calne Market, Phelps Parade, 9am to 1pm, and Sunday, September 25 at the Wiltshire Big Wheel cycle event on The Green, Devizes, 8am to 4pm.
Other appearances include at Salisbury Carnival on October 21.
