Sheffield youngsters expressing emotions through art in aid of refugees

The Project Paddington competition asks youngsters aged three to 18 to create a piece of artwork or creative writing on the theme of ‘From Scared To Safe’.

The best entries will be displayed in the Montgomery Hall Gallery in Sheffield alongside pieces by young refugees and migrants during Refugee Week from June 20 to 24.

Judith Jones, communications director for the competition, said: “Children across the world understand what it means to feel scared.

“This is about bringing UK and refugee children and young people closer, as well as raising money to change the lives of refugees abroad.”

The competition costs £1 per entry and the money will go directly to Samara’s Aid Appeal.

Samara’s Aid founder Samara Levy, aged 38, said: “We are in the process of opening a new hospital in Syria. The hospital will start off with a small A&E, a small intensive care department, an operating room and 30-40 beds.”

The competition will be judged by art lecturer Lavinia Jones and author Joel Toombs.

There will be an awards ceremony with special guests to celebrate the best entries at the Montgomery Hall Theatre on June 25.

Winners will receive a range of art supplies, Usborne books and signed copies of ‘Refugee Diaries’ by Annemarie Young.

Entrants will also be given the option of having their work displayed in an online gallery at www.projectpaddington.com

In addition to the competition, soul and R&B singer songwriter Fay Kendel is donating 50 per cent of sales of her new single ‘Guardian Angel’ to the project.

Project Paddington follows an earlier charity scheme in which more than 90 schools across the Sheffield district helped with a teddy project to send 25,000 toys and more than £50,000 to refugee projects across the world.

For more information or to enter the competition visit www.projectpaddington.com