A 10-year-old girl from Cumbria won the kids competition launched by #PinYourThanks, joining celebrities from the world of music, sport and art who have designed pin badges to thank all the unsung heroes of the pandemic, whilst raising money for charity.
#PinYourThanks, a fundraising UK initiative which provides people with the opportunity to give a beautifully designed pin badge to someone who deserves a special thank you for supporting them during the Covid-19 crisis, launched the competition for children across the UK aged 4-11 years old over the summer.
Evie’s winning pin badge design, which features the world with four hands reaching towards a heart positioned at the centre, has been turned into a pin badge which people can order from www.pinyourthanks.org and gift to their everyday heroes.
Her pin badge is available alongside others designed by some of the UK’s national treasures, including Keira Knightley, Ringo Starr, Joe Lycett, Emeli Sandé, David James MBE, Dame Sarah Storey and Anoushka Shankar. All profits from the pin badge purchases will go to Volunteering Matters and NHS Charities Together*.
Evie entered the competition to recognise the support her family has given her over the last few months.
Evie said: “I wanted to give my grandma this badge because she’s just been really kind and supportive. She kept telling me things would always get better. She’s just been an amazing support to us and I love her.”
Sandra, Evie’s grandmother said: “When I heard that Evie was going to give me the pin badge I was really quite overwhelmed by it, I sort of felt honoured, loved and appreciated and just absolutely overwhelmed. I was absolutely delighted. I’m proud of her at the best of times but this is just wonderful.”
Children who entered the competition were encouraged to submit designs which were inspired by someone who has helped them or their wider family over the last few months – from the postman or woman who delivered cards that cheered them up, to a doctor or nurse who cared for a loved one, or a neighbour who has done their weekly shopping whilst they were shielding.
The competition was judged by Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actor Hugh Bonneville and ex-England goalkeeper David James MBE, alongside #PinYourThanks founders, designers and education professionals. The judging panel chose their shortlist based on various criteria including simplicity, originality, how personal the story and design was and how it would resonate with the wider public.
Hugh Bonneville announced Evie as the winner live on BBC’s The One Show on Thursday 6 August 2020.
David James MBE added: “The images are important, but the stories talk about the great work individuals have done and inspired the artists to come up with some wonderful designs. A very difficult competition to judge, what with so many amazing designs and stories. Evie dedicated her design to her family, which illustrates how important the family unit has been in such challenging conditions. Whilst every hero is deserving of the people’s medal, the continued presence of a supportive family has been the foundation for many people to cope.”
#PinYourThanks was launched in June this year and is entirely volunteer-led. Each pin badge gift giver is given the opportunity to leave a heartfelt message for the recipient when they order their chosen ‘People’s Medal’ from www.pinyourthanks.org. Over the course of the year, #PinYourThanks will be expanding the collection with a number of imaginative new pin badge designs.
For more information, please visit www.pinyourthanks.org.
