Sharon (also pictured with Cllr John Kelly) with some of the winners of her 2015 Christmas card competition.
7-year-old Dean Brickle has scooped the top prize in Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson’s annual Christmas Card Competition.
The Columbia Grange School pupil’s design emerged as the overall winner from dozens of competition entries from local primary school children during an awards ceremony at the Washington Arts Centre.
The panel of judges, which as well as Sharon comprised: Art Consultant and National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) National President Susan Coles; Sunderland Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture Cllr John Kelly; Local Washington Central Ward Councillor Dianne Snowdon; and Gabi Oughton, PR Ambassador, and Scott Meacham, Fresh Foods Manager, from Sainsbury's Washington.
Dean’s design will now be printed on the front of Mrs Hodgson’s Christmas card and sent to top politicians and public figures around the country, as well as local groups, organisations and community leaders.
The two other age-category winners were Mya Okorefe, aged 4, of Blackfell Primary School in the Nursery and Reception category, and Callum Whittle-Richens, aged 8, of North View Academy in the 4/5/6 Year Group Category, who will both have their designs featured on the inside of the Christmas card.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mrs Hodgson, said: “Running this competition really is one of the highlights of my year, because you get to see how much talent and imagination the children have, and how excited they all get about Christmas.
“It is always so difficult to pick a winner, as all the entries are excellent, but for the panel today Dean’s deign just stood out from the rest, and I can’t wait to see it on the printed cards.
“As always I’d like to thank all the teachers and school staff and of course, most importantly, the children who have made this competition so successful, and also to the many local businesses who have generously donated great prizes for all the winners and children shortlisted.”
Judges (L-R): Gabi Oughton (PR Ambassador), Scott Meacham (Fresh Foods Manager), both from Sainsbury’s in Washington, Sharon Hodgson MP, Susan M Coles (NSEAD President & NE Art Teacher Educator Network Co-ordinator), Cllr John Kelly (Cabinet Member for Culture, Sunderland City Council and Washington North Ward Councillor), and Cllr Dianne Snowdon (Washington Central Ward Councillor) deciding the winners. Once again, special thanks must go to all who entered, and to parents and guardians, teachers and support workers for all their help.