A MASCOT for a charity which supports children and adults with learning disabilities has been sponsored by a north Cumbrian business.

David Allen IT Solutions has funded £1,200 for the character for West House to use at future fundraising events.

To mark its launch children supported by the Workington-based organisation were given a tour of David Allen’s head office in Dalston yesterday.

They were able to meet the team and look around the office before holding a mini board meeting.

Gary Martin, director of David Allen IT Solutions, said: “[We] have worked with West House for the past four years. We act as their IT Department, providing all their IT support, infrastructure and advice.

“It is fantastic to support the West House mascot this year.

“As a local company David Allen IT Solutions has a commitment to its social and corporate responsibility. We are proud to work with charities and other organisations and to assist them in as many ways as possible, whether that is providing them with free or reduced cost software licensing, or sponsoring projects that they are delivering.”

Emma Robinson, fundraising manager for West House, said: "We’re so thrilled that David Allen IT have supported us with our new mascot.

"It’s a bit different but it is a fantastic way to engage our children at the many events any parties we hold and will also make a huge difference to our fundraising and recruitment by making us lots more visible."

The mascot, named Westie, already has a busy diary, visiting Cafe West on May 18 for the charity's10 year celebration and a Park Run in the summer.

This sponsorship is a separate initiative to David Allen’s Charity of the Year fundraising, which is in aid of Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

The firm is raising money for the vital service for a second year and has already raised nearly £7,000.

It’s latest event, a Mother’s Day afternoon tea at the Greenhill Hotel, near Wigton, raised £600.

Staff now have their sights set on completing the national Three Peaks Challenge and will be taking on the Old Man of Coniston for a training walk this weekend.