Wimborne school pupils unleash creativity to celebrate the NHS
Schoolchildren in Wimborne have been celebrating 75 years of the NHS by taking part in a poster competition organised by the Friends of Victoria Hospital (FVHW).
More than 100 pupils from Hayeswood First School, Colehill First School, Allenbourn Middle School and Lockyers Middle School submitted NHS-inspired artwork for a chance to win a prize and see their work on display in the Dorset HealthCare-run community hospital.
Trustees from the FVHW and hospital Matron Deborah Straw sifted through the eye-catching entries – which included drawings of hospital staff being cared for, ambulances, rainbows, birthday cakes and words reflecting the NHS workforce – before choosing the best three in first and middle school categories.
All entrants received a certificate and the best three in the first and middle school categories were awarded a trophy and book token.
Ella-Rose Hughes of Hayeswood First School, came top in the first category, while Allenbourn Middle School pair Arwenna Metcalfe and Annabelle Stickland triumphed in the latter section.
David Clayton-Smith, the Chair of Dorset HealthCare, presented the winners with a trophy, certificate and book token voucher at Wimborne Community Centre. Following the award presentation, pupils and families enjoyed tea and cake while viewing all of the poster entries which were on display around the room.
Jeff Hart, a Trustee of the FVHM, said:
“We thought it was important to celebrate 75 years of the NHS and engage local children. All the entries were full of creativity and imagination. Picking the winners was very challenging. Congratulations to all who participated.”
Hospital Matron Deborah Straw added:
“I was very proud to be part of this great event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Working with the local schools and seeing such wonderful pictures that all the children have gone to such great effort and put so much thought into, has been heart-warming.
“We will be displaying some of the great work around the hospital to not only brighten the environment, but also to let staff know how supported and highly thought of they are by the children of our local communities.”
Find out more about Victoria Hospital in Wimborne and for further information about the work of the Friends, visit www.friendswimbornehospital.org.uk