UPDATE: The festive spirit is alive in Birmingham as Marnie Bernard, a 7-year-old student from The Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School, has just been crowned the winner of the annual Christmas card competition organized by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) West Midlands Regional Research Delivery Network (WM RRDN).
Marnie’s winning design, featuring gloved hands holding a heart-shaped snowball, will grace the Christmas card sent out by the NIHR next year. The card reaches approximately 200 recipients, including 130 schools and 60 researchers and stakeholders.
Marnie triumphed over her classmate Deborah Chibueze, aged 9, who secured second place, while Alicja Jablonska, an 8-year-old from St Matthews CE (Aided) Primary School in Telford, took third place. All three winners received vouchers, with Marnie earning a £20 voucher for herself and her school receiving £100.
Organiser Amy Stringer, Research Facilitator at WM RRDN, reported that the competition attracted an impressive 177 entries from children aged 4 to 11 across the West Midlands. “An independent panel shortlisted the entries down to 20, and from there, the WM RRDN team voted for their favorite,” she stated. “It was incredibly difficult to select a winner due to the wonderful range of entries, but the top designs showcased exceptional creativity and festive spirit.”
Marnie’s mother, Nicola Restall, expressed her pride, saying, “I am really pleased that she has won this competition because she worked really hard with her Christmas card design. Winning will also help with her confidence.”
The head of Marnie’s school, Shannon Ryan, shared her joy: “I am overjoyed to have two of my girls getting first and second place in this art competition. It is clear that we could have future artists or designers in our school right now.”
With the success of this year’s competition, WM RRDN is already planning for the next one in 2026, ensuring that local schools remain connected through creative initiatives.
This competition not only celebrates artistic talent but also fosters a sense of community among schools and researchers, making it a cherished annual event in the West Midlands. As Marnie’s design prepares to spread joy next Christmas, the excitement around future competitions continues to grow.
