Welephant
Encyclopedia
Welephant is a mascot / cartoon character originally used by fire brigades in the United Kingdom
to promote fire safety to children. More recently however the character has become the mascot for the Children's Burn Trust.
in order to promote the dangers of fire to the local school children. A competition was set where pupils of the local schools submitted drawings of a possible mascot that the fire department could use.
to promote fire safety to the pupils of primary schools in their local area.
Since Welephant the popular BBC Cartoon Character Fireman Sam
has been used by the UK Government in various fire safety campaigns aimed at young children.
Other characters such as 'Frances the Firefly', 'Adam Alarm' and others have also been used.
Welephant is currently the Mascot of the Children's Burn Trust.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to promote fire safety to children. More recently however the character has become the mascot for the Children's Burn Trust.
Creation of Welephant
Welephant was created by the Greater Manchester Fire ServiceGreater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory emergency fire and rescue service for the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, England.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service covers an area of approximately...
in order to promote the dangers of fire to the local school children. A competition was set where pupils of the local schools submitted drawings of a possible mascot that the fire department could use.
Going National
Through popular demand, Welephant went National and was used by fire & rescue services throughout the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to promote fire safety to the pupils of primary schools in their local area.
Charity Name Change
In 1996 Welephant Club Inc was changed to The National Fire Safety Charity for Children.Current status
Most Fire & Rescue Services now use their own individual mascots and cartoon characters to teach children about the importance of fire safety. During the late 1990s / early 2000s Welephant was gradually phased out from UK Fire Service merchandising and safety campaigns, but he continued to be used extensively as the Mascot for the National Fire Safety CharitySince Welephant the popular BBC Cartoon Character Fireman Sam
Fireman Sam
Fireman Sam is a Welsh animated children's television series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other townspeople in the Welsh town of Pontypandy . The original idea for the show came from two ex-firemen from Kent...
has been used by the UK Government in various fire safety campaigns aimed at young children.
Other characters such as 'Frances the Firefly', 'Adam Alarm' and others have also been used.
Welephant is currently the Mascot of the Children's Burn Trust.