Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s mascot, Bernie Bear, will be taking part in this years Mascot Gold Cup Race at Wetherby Races on Sunday 29th April. This will be Bernie’s final public appearance before he retires from his official mascot duties.
Bernie has been the face of the YAA for the last ten years, however he has decided to take retirement after attending hundreds of events with the YAA over the years. He plans to mark his retirement by competing in the ever popular Mascot Gold Cup Race at Wetherby Racecourse.
The Mascot Gold Cup the world’s largest mascot race, with 50 to 100 mascots taking part, and has been running since 2006.
Abby McClymont, Marketing & Communications Manager for the YAA said:
Bernie Bear has done us proud over the last ten years. He has been a regular at many fetes, galas and fun days with the Charity and was always happy to pose for a photo with younger YAA supporters. Sadly Bernie has become a bit tired and is ready for a rest so he will bow out of official mascot duties after the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Racecourse on April 29th. Bernie has been a great ambassador for the YAA over the years and we will all miss him very much.
However, the YAA will not be without a trusted mascot, so later in the summer we will be introducing a new character as the face of the YAA!
Bernie is currently in training for the Mascot race and is hoping to place well at the finish!
Before the race starts, Bernie will be taking part in the mascot parade, where the ‘best turned out’ will be judged. There is also the chance for race goers to choose their mascot winner by taking part in the ‘predict the winner’ competition. Bernie will then take in part in the ‘one minute mascot warm up’, which is a first for the race this year, before finally taking to the course to compete in the mascot race!
The Mascot Gold Cup Race is run along the final furlong (220 yards) in front of the Grandstands. The YAA are encouraging supporters to back Bernie in the race and come along to support him.
Bernie is also hoping to raise some much needed funds for the YAA by running in the Mascot Race. Anyone wishing to support Bernie can visit his Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/Bernie-Bear
