Marsha the mascot is busy on her 1st birthday!

ONE of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s most loved team mem-bears marked her first birthday on Sunday 2nd December by attending three fundraising events. 

Marsha, the charity’s pilot bear mascot, cheered on those taking part in the Swindon Santa Fun Run at Lydiard Park, Swindon, and even took part in the Zumba warm up!

She then joined other Wiltshire Air Ambulance volunteers at a stall by Santa’s grotto at Leekes department store in Melksham before attending the Winter Wonderland event at Whitehall Garden Centre, near Chippenham, where she ended the day by cutting her birthday cake.

Marsha has been in huge demand since joining Wiltshire Air Ambulance, attending a variety of fundraising events all over Wiltshire on her own, or with her paramedic bear crewmate, Wilber. 

Marsha and Wilber are sponsored by Soft Options Water Softeners Limited, a family-run business based in Burbage, near Marlborough. Soft Options supply and install water softeners and filtered drinking water systems and also offer water softener servicing and salt supplies for both domestic and commercial use.

Beth Gardner, fundraising manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance said, “Marsha has proven to be as popular with the public as our paramedic mascot, Wilber, and has attended all sorts of events including bake sales, a netball match and a charity football match at Swindon Town FC. 

“We’re so grateful to Soft Options Water Softeners Limited for sponsoring Marsha and Wilber, as it shows their commitment to our lifesaving work. We’d also like to thank our volunteers who help bring our mascots to life.” 

Wiltshire Air Ambulance is always keen to hear from people who would be interested in helping the charity by becoming a volunteer. Call the charity team on 01225 300536 or email hello@wiltshireairambulance .co.uk.

Above: Marsha taking the reins of the sleigh at Whitehall Garden Centre.