Badgers birthday bash

Youngsters from all over the UK took part in the fun and games at LEGOLAND® Windsor on Sunday 21 September to celebrate 21 years of St John Ambulance Badgers and the birthday of their mascot Bertie.

Excited young people had their photo taken with Bertie and enjoyed a slice of birthday cake. Party goers also had a chance to go on rides such as the rollercoaster and log flume and watch theatre shows, live action displays and take part in the a’maze’ing labyrinth.

In total 800 Badgers with family members attended the event and each were given a special St John Ambulance booklet to keep as a memento. They could get the booklet signed in different areas of the park by performing activities such as reciting a joke or song or spotting Bertie Badger among the Lego figurines.

The Badgers were set up in 1987 for 6 to 10-year-olds when adult members called for a youth group for younger children, as Cadets for 10 to 17-year olds was already a great success. It soon expanded to allow five-year-olds to join too.

Like the Cadets, Badgers meet weekly and go on residential camps where they learn all about new subjects, varying from Hungry Badger which focuses on continental cuisine and cooking, to Safety Badger which teaches young people about road safety and personal safety – with lots more in between.

Sarah Holmes, Chief Commissioner Youth at St John Ambulance, said: ‘Bertie’s birthday was a memorable day and we were glad so many Badgers could join us. Badgers is all about young people having fun, making friends and learning new things and that’s exactly what the day was all about.

'It was fantastic to see so many young people joining together to celebrate the Badgers being 21 years old. I hope there are many more anniversaries of the Badgers to come.’