The Mandeville soft toy, the mascot of the London 2012 Paralympic is now on sale in Sainsbury’s stores, with two years to go until the opening ceremony.
The mascots are available at 125 Sainsbury’s across the country as the supermarket prepares for the Paralympic Games, of which it is the first-ever sole sponsor.
In addition to the regular toys, a total of 2,012 limited edition Mandeville soft toys, which come in an exclusive box, have also gone on sale, with 1,200 being sold at Sainsbury’s.
Sainsbury’s chief executive, Justin King, said: “London 2012 is going to be here before we know it, and we’re urging all of our customers and colleagues to start supporting the Paralympic Games now.
“With so few Mandevilles available, customers will have to be quick off the blocks if they’re going to snap one up, as we expect them to fly off the shelves.”
Mandeville mascot soft toys retail at £19.99.
Sainsbury’s has also announced that world champion Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds is to be the new face of Active Kids over the next two years in the run up to the games in 2012.
She will appear in Active Kids advertising and act as an ambassador for the scheme, which has raised over £86m worth of sporting equipment for schools since it was launched in 2005.
Justin King said: “We’re really pleased that Ellie has decided to help us with Active Kids. She’ll be an outstanding ambassador for the scheme as she is a truly inspiring figure for young people and represents one of ParalympicsGB biggest medal hopes for the Paralympic Games in 2012.”
Simmonds, who was at Sainsbury’s Finchley Road store to launch the Mandeville mascots, said: “I am really excited about becoming part of the Active Kids campaign. I’ve seen first hand, a lot of the great work Sainsbury’s has done to supply schools with sports equipment, so I’m really looking forward to being part of this.”
Prior to her success at the Beijing Paralympic Games, she competed successfully in the UK School Games, of which Sainsbury’s is also a sponsor.
Source: Sainsbury’s
