Refugee poster campaign gets huge response from "compassionate" kids

A competition aimed at reflecting on the plight of refugees has had an overwhelming response, with more than 100 children from across East Cambridgeshire taking part.
The Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign organised the poster competition, which had the theme “Home/Refuge”.
Children were invited to reflect on what a safe home meant to them and how it would feel to be a refugee with nowhere safe to live.
The 13 winners were given their prizes at a ceremony at Ely Library on Saturday, June 18.

Amelia Gipp won the Key Stage 1 category, with Arlo Thurston getting the runner-up prize. Klara Wagner, Felicity Evans and James Stead were commended.

The Key Stage 2 category was won by Lily Clanfield, with Georgia Holgate coming second. William Bevan and Eloise Holgate were commended.

Orla Harrison won the Key Stage 3, with Ryan Pietras named runner-up. Ellen Olley and Anna Braybrooke were commended.

Prizes and certificates were presented by Dr Dee McCormack, of St Mary’s Surgery, the chair of the judging panel. The other judges were Mayor of Ely Ian Lindsay and local artist Ricki Outis.
Dr McCormack said: “There were so many wonderful posters that choosing the winners was a real challenge. The children had clearly put in a great deal of thought and effort and their messages were full of compassion.
“Everyone who took part should be very proud.”
Winners received a variety of prizes, donated by local businesses including Burrows Bookshop, City Cycle Centre, Ely Fudge Company, Razamatazz Magic Emporium, Tindalls, Toppings, WH Smith and Wilko.
The posters are being exhibited across Ely as part of a series of events organised by the ERRC to mark Refugee Week.
They were at Ely Library until yesterday and will be at ERRC’s Refugee Week meeting at The Maltings from 7pm tonight. Tomorrow they will go on display at the Old Fire Engine House Gallery.
A gallery of all the entries will also soon appear on ERRC’s website and Facebook page.
ERRC thanks everyone who was involved in the poster competition: the schools, childminders and parents, the shops that gave prizes, Ely Library and the Old Fire Engine House, and especially the “kind and compassionate” children who took part.
For more information see http://bit.ly/21ghmqb