Peterborough children urged to enter Christmas card design competition

Peterborough Reads, the literacy campaign from the National Literacy Trust, and Peterborough City Council, are encouraging pupils to get involved and potentially win some fantastic festive prizes.

Entries will be judged by award-winning illustrator and designer Dapo Adeola, co-creator of bestselling children’s book Look Up! and supporter of the National Literacy Trust.

The challenge is free to enter for all children aged 5 to 11 in the UK. Designs should have a joyful and festive theme, be on A5 sized paper and can be scanned and submitted by schools and parents to [email protected] before the deadline of Friday, November 13.

For more information on how children in Peterborough can get involved, visit the National Literacy Trust website - https://literacytrust.org.uk/competitions/national-christmas-card-design-competition/.

One lucky winner will receive a stocking full of books as well as a virtual visit to their school from Dapo Adeola, while their design will be available for people around the UK to purchase for their friends, families and colleagues ahead of Christmas. The 11 other designs that make the shortlist will also be available to buy on Making a Difference from December 1.

Sally Atkinson, manager for Peterborough Reads, said: “I would love to see a primary pupil from Peterborough win this Christmas card competition. We have some really talented children in our city, many who have already participated in our writing competitions inspired by the winners of the Peterborough Book Awards. I can’t wait to see everyone’s festive designs so make time over half-term to get creative!”

Dapo said: “This year has been difficult for so many of us, so I’m calling on children to come up with their most joyful creations for the National Literacy Trust’s festive card competition.

“I’m looking for drawings of things that make you smile from ear to ear and that will be sure to raise everyone’s spirits. I can’t wait to see the festive stories that the children tell through their designs.”

Jonathan Douglas, chief executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are delighted to launch our first national festive card competition ahead of the Christmas period and cannot wait to see and share children’s inspiring designs with the world. With so much uncertainty right now we are all in need of some early festive cheer.

“All proceeds from the sale of our cards will help us support the literacy, learning and wellbeing of one million children most seriously affected by Covid-19.

“There has never been a more important time for our work and we are so thankful to everyone who can help us raise vital funds to ensure that the impact of Covid-19 does not last a lifetime for any child.”

For further information about Peterborough Reads visit: peterboroughreads.org.uk or the Peterborough Reads Facebook page.