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Air Ambulance mascot goes on tour!

Last year, the Children’s Air Ambulance charity launched a nationwide competition to find the perfect mascot for #TheCrew – their club for children and young people – and with over 500 entries, the charity was proud to bring the winning design to life!

The Children’s Air Ambulance – operated by The Air Ambulance Service – is a national service which is changing the face of paediatric and neonatal care through the high-speed transfer of critically ill babies and children – flying them from one hospital to another for specialist care.

The official mascot Blade – a yellow and green superhero bear with rotor blades on its back – is set to visit The Air Ambulance Service’s charity stores across the country.

Blade’s first stop on his charity store roadshow will be the Children’s Air Ambulance Doncaster superstore on 9 May.

He will then make his way through the counties, finishing his journey at Derbyshire’s Alfreton superstore on Sunday 6 June.

“We love our new mascot Blade, and we can’t wait for people to meet him on the roadshow,” says Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown.

The charity is encouraging people to meet and greet Blade in-store, learn all about #TheCrew, and get involved in the next national children’s competition – creative writing.

#TheCrew is asking for youngsters to get creative once again and write an imaginative story, sending Blade, and sidekick Peggy, on their very first adventure.

With some great prizes to be won – including a tour of the TCAA helicopter – spelling and grammar skills are not essential for the competition, just wonderful stories.

“It’s great to encourage creativity in children and that’s why we have launched this next competition,” says Anoushka.

“There are three age categories, age six and younger, 7-11, and 12-16, so all youngsters can get involved,” she adds.

Youngsters have the chance to grab their entry forms during Blade’s roadshow visits, and if they sign-up to #TheCrew in-store, they will receive a free branded pencil case filled with great items.

As part of #TheCrew, children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising, and how a charity works. The club offers advice and teaching on community work, volunteering, working as part of a team, and supporting good causes – which form part of many school curriculums.

To follow Blade on his roadshow, please find his route below and click to look up the store addresses: