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National competition winner meets her mascot creation

A Leicestershire girl – recently crowned the winner of a nationwide competition for the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) – received a special visit from her mascot creation.

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.

Last year, the children’s charity launched a competition to find the perfect mascot for #TheCrew – their club for children and young people – and with over 500 entries from across the country, nine-year-old Sienna Seyman’s design was named the winner.

The Hinckley schoolgirl’s design of a yellow and green superhero bear with rotor blades on its back was brought to life as the club’s official mascot, and his first stop was to meet his creator.

“It feels amazing to meet Blade, I’m so happy to see my creation come to life,” says Sienna.

“Blade is everything I imagined and more! I think Blade is perfect and will make the best mascot ever – he looks so cuddly,” she adds.

Sienna won the charity club’s first national competition, which has been a springboard for its next children’s competition – creative writing.

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

“I’m so pleased and happy that I entered the first competition and even more pleased that I won – I never thought I’d win but was so happy that I did,” says Sienna.

“I would tell everyone to give this next competition a try, get creative, and just go for it. You never know, you could be as lucky as me and win,” she adds.

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.

Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown says: “It’s great to encourage creativity in children and that’s why we have launched this next competition. There are three age categories, so all youngsters can get involved.

“Sienna did an amazing job creating our brilliant Blade mascot, and we can’t wait to read all the imaginative stories that our entrants send Blade and Peggy on.

“It’s also great to see Sienna enjoying being a member of #TheCrew!”

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.

“I love being a member of #TheCrew, it’s awesome to feel part of the team and I would encourage everyone to sign-up,” adds Sienna.

To learn more #TheCrew, or to download a competition pack, please click here.