Prize girl Rachel plays cards right
ALMOST 500 artistic schoolchildren entered a competition run by Solutions SK to design a festive e-card.
The aim of the contest was to get the youngsters to think about what the festive season means to them.
Jacqueline Cohen, customer engagement manager at Solutions SK, visited primary schools across the borough to talk to children about what makes this time of year so special.
And the winner, 10-year-old Rachel Bowden from Oaktree Primary School, captured the festive spirit perfectly.
For her entry, which was chosen by a panel of judges that included the Mayor and Mayoress of Stockport, Chris and Margaret Gordon, and Express editor Katherine Bainbridge, she drew a picture of all her family members around the Christmas tree.
On the card she wrote: “Christmas for me is all about sharing, happiness and good times with my family and friends, and also to think about all those people who are not as lucky as me! Such as refugees from war torn countries who have lost their homes, friends and even family. All they have is hopes and dreams for the future.”
Rachel’s design will be turned into an festive e-card to be sent to all the borough’s schools and councillors, and she will also receive a letter of recognition from the Mayor, and a £50 voucher for books for her school.
Jacqueline said: “This competition has been such a success and the children’s energy, creativity and understanding of the ‘festive message’ has been impressive.
“They’ve understood the importance of going beyond commercialism and focusing on the traditional essence of this time of year – being with family, giving to charity, and enjoying simple activities such as playing in the snow.”
Christine Slater, headteacher at Oaktree, added: “The winning entry from Rachel focuses on the real meaning of Christmas, something we all feel is so important to share with children at this time of year”.
Runner up prizes were awarded to pupils including Adele Smith from Oaktree, Sofie Welton from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, and Jim Bury from Westmorland Primary School, as well as a pupil from Bolshaw Primary School.
SK Solutions has also made donations to The Wellspring’s Rucksack Project and is collecting for the Together Trust.