VIDEO: Comedian Matt Lucas reveals #HaveringHeroeswinner
The winner of Havering Colleges’ #HaveringHeroes schools competition was revealed in an exciting online video announcement by comedian Matt Lucas!
Former Little Britain star Matt, who will be co-hosting the next series of the Great British Bake-Off, named the winner as Marshalls Park Year 7 pupil Skye Culham, who won £100 in vouchers with £100 cash for her school.
Skye drew a colourful picture of key workers, with the heartfelt message: “To all key workers, I’d love to say thank you, not just for the jobs you are doing but for the tireless hours you have been pursuing. You save lives and still thrive, you are a hero and despite being incredible you ask for zero.”
For the competition, which offered almost £1,000 in prize-money, school pupils were asked to get creative to showcase someone in their neighbourhood who inspires them or who has made a positive impact on their lives.
The college received some fantastic entries – beautifully-written tributes, poems and letters, artwork in many different forms, sculptures, songs and paintings, all in honour of family members, doctors, nurses, teachers, key workers and even pets who have been true heroes during lockdown and throughout the Coronavirus crisis.
The judging panel – consisting of London Assembly Member Keith Prince; Director of Children’s Services for Havering Council, Robert South; Inspector Rob McElroy from the Met Police; Leader of Havering Council, Damian White; Mayor Of Havering, Michael Deon Burton; Councillor Sally Miller and NHS representative Amy Lennon – selected the winners and 10 Highly Commended entries based on creativity and originality, the story behind the piece, and the overall impression.
Deea Danci, a Year 7 pupil from Bower Park Academy, was chosen as the runner-up and won £75 in vouchers with £75 cash for her school. Deea created a beautiful pencil drawing of her mum, a nurse, and wrote a touching tribute telling how her mum risks her life every day to care for patients but then always has a smile and time for her when she returns home.
In third place was Callum Daniel Smith, a Year 11 student from The Campion School, who won £60 in vouchers and £60 cash for his school. Callum created a low poly vector image of his design and technology teacher Mr Delahunty, who has been making facemasks in his spare time for NHS staff.
Judge Robert South said the competition had brought the community together and had proved there were many talented children in Havering. He said: “I congratulate all the young people who entered on their heart-warming, technically advanced and enthusiastic admissions. Simply brilliant!
“I feel incredibly proud to work in a borough where our children have such an understanding of the impact of Covid-19 on both their own lives and that of the community. Thank you to Havering Colleges for generating such a positive focus for our young people at a time when we need it most.”
There were also prizes of £50 vouchers awarded to the 10 Highly Commended entrants who were: Ellie Armstrong, Year 9, Brittons; Yvonnemarie Meehan, Year 11, Bower Park; Freddie Mellor, Year 8, Marshalls Park; Rebecca Vickers, Year 7, Abbs Cross; Samantha Clifton, Year 10, Bower Park; Danielle Boatswain, Year 8, Bower Park, Ellie Cummings, Year 7, Coopers; James Powell, Year 11, Campion; Jay Culham, Year 9, Marshalls Park and Tamara Browne, Year 8, Hornchurch High.
All competition entries will be showcased in a special portfolio at The Havering Museum for visitors to view.
