Artistic primary pupils spread Christmas cheer

Published by Kelly Elliott for Cestria Community Housing in Housing and also in Communities

Creative school children have helped a North East housing association spread some festive cheer by designing their company Christmas card.

Pupils from Pelton Community Primary School, near Chester-le-Street, were asked by Cestria Community Housing Association to draw or paint a picture to be used on the front of their card this year.

Four-year-old Grace Gulliver came up with the winning design, which was incorporated into an e-card and emailed to all Cestria’s partners and stakeholders.

Cestria staff presented Grace, and the second and third place winners Charlotte Robson and Kaitlyn Storey, with gift vouchers during a special presentation.

All three, along with a number of runners up, also received framed copies of their drawings.

Lisa Coverdale, Cestria Customer Relationship Manager, said: “Our work is very much community based and we wanted to involve members of the local community in designing our Christmas card this year.

“The children at Pelton came up with some brilliant designs and it was very hard picking a winner.

“Grace’s design was just perfect and we hope it will spread some Christmas cheer to everyone who receives it.”

Pelton Community Primary School head teacher Wendy Edwards said: “We were delighted to be involved in this project with Cestria.

“The children really enjoyed coming up with their Christmas card designs and it’s lovely to know Grace’s design will be seen by so many people.”