A Moray youngster’s heartfelt drawing of people joining hands in unity around the world has been chosen as the winner of a Christmas card design competition.
Gloria Johnston from Keith was shocked and delighted to learn her illustration had been chosen as the winner from hundreds of entries.
Yesterday morning, Moray MP, Angus Robertson, made a surprise visit to St Thomas Primary School to deliver the good news in person.
The closely-guarded announcement was even kept a secret from Gloria’s teacher Deborah Corrins until the politician told the class the winning artist was in their midst.
When the successful design was unveiled by Mr Robertson, the nine-year-old could not help but put her hands over her mouth in shock.
She said: “I was very surprised. I spotted the globe in the nursery when I was drawing it and, since it was supposed to be about refugees, I decided to put people around the world being friendly.
“Everyone is holding hands, so they can feel safe. I can’t wait to send some of them to my friends.”
Primary school pupils in Moray were tasked with designing the festive greetings on a “welcoming” theme to reflect the huge numbers of refugees fleeing their own countries throughout the world.
In addition to the depiction of people joining hands around the world, Gloria also included the message: “May peace be with you forever” on the cover of her work.
And she has been rewarded for her entry with drawing pencils to develop her artistic flair as well as copies of the card which she can send to friends and family.
The Keith youngster’s design will now be used by Mr Robertson and Moray MSP Richard Lochhead to help raise money for charity Clan Cancer Support.
Mr Robertson has started writing personal notes to those who have made it onto his Christmas card list.
He said: “Gloria has drawn an excellent Christmas card. Congratulations to her and all the other schoolchildren across Moray who drew such colourful designs.
“The cards are distributed across Moray and further afield and do a huge amount of good in raising money for Clan Cancer Support and highlighting such a great cause.”
