Action Medical Research’s mascot voted most popular character

Paddington Bear, the mascot of medical research charity Action Medical Research, has been voted the the UK's favourite animated character. The announcement was made at the Ninth British Animation Awards in London.

The marmalade-loving bear from Darkest Peru, and nephew to Aunt Lucy, is the official fundraising mascot of the charity.

Paddington beat other shortlisted characters including Aleksandr Meerkat and Super Ted in a public vote at more than 20 screenings across the UK.

Action Medical Research is marking its 60th anniversary this year. It helps fund research into conditions affecting babies and children, including meningitis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, premature birth, and rare conditions that affect children.

Paddington Bear was created by former BBC cameraman Michael Bond in 1956 and his first book was published in 1958. The popular stories were first made into an animated TV series in 1975.

He 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.

www.action.org.uk