Children in care have taken part in a competition to design Christmas cards for Durham County Council. Looked after youngster were encouraged to bring out their artistic sides by drawing, painting or using collage techniques to make a festive or wintery picture.
The winning image was then printed and sent out as the official Christmas card of the council’s Children and Young People’s Services Department (CYPS).
Councillor Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for CYPS, said, “We know there are many creative children out there and we wanted to give them the chance to show off what they can do.”
“We had many fantastically vibrant and colourful entries, including pictures of robins, reindeers, Santa, Christmas trees, present-filled stockings and snowmen.”
The competition’s first prize was won by Carol Ann, 15. Amy, 11, and Jay, 7, were the runners-up.
Cllr Johnson said, “It was difficult to choose the winners, but in the Christmas penguin, Santa in the snow, and the handprint and fingerprint Christmas tree we found some great designs that we are delighted to be able to send out to people this Christmas.”
All the winners received a framed print of their artwork and a £15 shopping voucher. As overall winner, Carol Ann also got a pack of cards with her winning design on them as well as an art set.
Durham County Council recently put out a statement saying that it needed more foster carers. The council stresses that no special qualifications are required to be a foster carer, except for qualities such as patience and a good sense of humour.
The first Christmas card was produced by Henry Cole in 1843. Cole’s innovation soon caught on and 30 years later 4 million were being sent annually. It is estimated that Britons spent £1.7 billion on Christmas cards last year.
