Charity celebrates birthday of mascot Paddington Bear™

Children’s charity Action Medical Research is celebrating the birthday of its faithful mascot Paddington Bear on 25 June.

Paddington has been at the heart of fundraising for Action Medical Research ever since his creator, Michael Bond, met the charity’s founder, Duncan Guthrie, in 1976 and his friendly face has helped to attract thousands of new supporters who together have raised millions of pounds to help babies and children.

To mark Paddington’s birthday, Action Medical Research is inviting people to ‘share their sandwiches’ in honour of their furry supporter.

The children’s charity will be taking to Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to find out what followers favour in their sandwiches, whether it’s marmalade like the bear from darkest Peru or something more exotic like supporter Davina McCall.

“My favourite sandwich would be a toasted wholemeal bagel with hot smoked salmon, cream cheese, lettuce and a drizzle of pesto,” says Davina, who recently led her Big Sussex Bike Ride for Action Medical Research.

Dr Dawn Harper has a tasty recipe in mind, saying: “Mine would be granary bread with smoked ham, cheddar cheese, cucumber, black pepper and mayonnaise... Naughty but nice!”

Best-selling author Peter James, another of the charity’s celebrity supporters, says he prefers a more traditional option: “I like a classic combination of Cheddar cheese and Branston Pickle with a bit of spring onion!”

Meanwhile meteorologist and TV presenter Kirsty McCabe likes to keep things varied. “My favourite sandwich is weather dependent: when it's cold I like something warm, like a cheese and ham toastie or panini. When it's warm then I'll go for a wrap with hummus and veggies,” she says.

What’s your favourite sandwich? Tell us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest using #Shareyoursandwiches on Thursday, 25 June, and help to celebrate Paddington Bear’s birthday in the way he likes best… by sharing sandwiches!