WHITCHURCH firefighters are sending a huge thank you to all the generous helpers who donated knitted crew mascots to the station.

More than 100 teddy bears and miniature firefighters have flocked into the office, one from as far flung as South Africa, after a social media appeal calling for keen crafters was launched in July.

Following a serious crash of a double decker bus in Oakley in July, Whitchurch’s fire crew were sent to the scene with the engine’s mascot kept by an injured young boy as he was taken away in an ambulance for treatment.

The station then took to Facebook asking for donations for replacements for their little helper, which are used to help distract and comfort children during distressing incidents.

The response has been overwhelming.

Whitchurch crew manager Richard Scarth said: “We’d really love to give a huge thank you to everybody who has gone through the trouble.

“We have now got more bears than we could ever imagine.

“It was amazing 400,000 people read our post, the number of messages and comments I couldn’t really keep on top of them. Almost immediately, within two days of it being posted, we had Amazon packages with teddies.”

Among the donations are crochet mascots, and a personal favourite of Richard’s is a bear made out of an old Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service shirt, complete using the material, collar and badges.

He added: “There’s some very impressive knitted bears.

“We’re incredibly touched so many people have gone through so much effort, some of those bears you have to see to believe.”

Having first expected to receive around half a dozen new little friends, the overwhelming response has led the Whitchurch fire crew to decide to reach out to other stations, offering up some of their donations.

Ones kept at the Whitchurch station will rotate being on duty going out in the fire engines.

The crew have posted further pictures on their Facebook group Whitchurch Hampshire Fire Fighters.