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BEFRIEND A CHILD REVEALS NEW MASCOT – KUDDLES THE KANGAROO

Dons boss Craig Brown had a difficult selection decision to make recently when a local charity asked him to pick its new mascot.

Aberdeen-based Befriend A Child launched its mascot competition earlier this year and received more than 100 entries, ranging from bears and lions to bumble bees and stars, making Craig’s job a particularly tricky one.

However, at a special assembly held at St Margaret’s School yesterday (Tuesday, May 17), pupil Ellie McGowan, aged 12, from Kingswells, was crowned the winner, for her fantastic creation, Kuddles the Kangaroo.

Ellie was delighted to see her idea had been brought to life and made into a full sized mascot which will travel around the North-east promoting the services Befriend A Child provides. In the future she will also receive a tour of Pittodrie Stadium and enjoy the chance to meet the AFC squad as part of her prize.

Fellow St Margaret’s pupil, Alexandra Riddell, from Hazlehead, and Westhill Primary School pupil, Anoshe Hussain, were highly commended for their efforts.

Craig said: “It was a very tough decision but I thought that Ellie’s entry was well thought out, and the message about how a kangaroo cares for its children was very clever. I am really looking forward to seeing Kuddles out and about the North-east promoting the great work of Befriend A Child – and I am sure Angus the Bull will be delighted to have another mascot to meet up with too!”

Befriend A Child’s chief executive, Karen Farquhar, added: “Ellie did a fantastic job designing Kuddles and was a worthy winner. The competition was of a very high standard and I’m sure Kuddles will prove extremely popular with the North-east community.”

Established in 1975, Befriend A Child is Scotland's oldest befriending service for disadvantaged children. Working with social workers, care homes, health visitors, and other charities, Befriend A Child supports children aged 5-12 and continues to work with them up until the age of 18, if required.

The scheme became a registered charity in 1991 and in 2010 worked with more than 170 children in Aberdeen City - its largest number to date.

For further information about Befriend A Child please call 01224 210 060 or visit www.befriendachild.org.uk