Hanna Makowska, aged 9 from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Aldershot, has won local MP, Leo Docherty's annual Primary Schools Christmas Card Competition
Leo has run the competition annually since being first elected in 2017, was open to all local infant and junior schools across the Aldershot Constituency. He hoped, after another tough year for us all, the competition would once again spread some much-needed cheer across our local community. Hundreds of submissions were once again received for the competition.
Leo said: "I was so impressed by the creativity and imagination of all those who sent in designs, and am very grateful to all our local schools and teachers for their engagement with the competition.
"There were many excellent entries, and selecting a shortlist and winner proved to be extremely difficult. I am delighted, however, to announce that Hanna Makowska from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Aldershot has been chosen as this year's winner!"
Hanna's superb design, featuring a robin sitting on a holly branch, features as the front cover of Leo's official card, and is currently being sent out to hundreds of individuals and organisations across Aldershot, Farnborough and Blackwater.
All pupils that took part received a signed certificate of participation, and a number also received letters to commendation.
Leo was incredibly pleased to be able to visit St Joseph's Primary last Friday, at the invitation of Headteacher Mrs Deidre McNeill, to announce Hanna as this year's competition winner, and to award her efforts with a framed copy of the card and ticket's to local pantomime, 'Dick Whittington' - kindly donated by the Princes Hall, Aldershot. He has also invited Hanna, her class, and teacher to visit the Houses of Parliament, when COVID-19 restrictions allow.
This year's runners-up were Luke Amparo of Alderwood Infant School and Charlotte Woodhouse of St Michael's CofE Junior School - each were awarded one-year family tickets to the Aldershot Military Museum, courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust.
Leo added: "I am incredibly grateful to Princes Hall and Hampshire Cultural Trust for their support, but particularly to John Reeves, Managing Director of Viasat UK, without whose kind and generous sponsorship the competition could not have taken place.
I would also like to pay tribute to our local printers, Tim Reading and his team at Imprint Colour Ltd in Aldershot, for their continued professional and expert support in producing, printing and distributing the card on behalf of my office."
Pictured: Staff alongside competition winner Hanna, a framed copy of her design, and Leo Docherty MP