Northamptonshire girl wins national charity Christmas card competition

A Northamptonshire girl has been crowned the winner of a nationwide competition to design a Christmas Card for the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

Last year, the national children’s charity launched a competition to design a Christmas card, and with lots of creative entries streaming in from across the country, nine-year-old Nea Kostova’s design was chosen as the winner.

The Wellingborough girl’s design depicts the Children’s Air Ambulance club’s – #TheCrew – mascots Blade and Peggy getting ready for the snowfall with the infamous reindeer, Rudolph.

“I was inspired when I saw the Children’s Air Ambulance Mascot in Wellingborough town centre. It was very interesting meeting him in person, so I wanted to enter the competition as soon as I could,” said Nea.

“I feel confident in my drawing abilities in general, but it feels really nice to win a competition with so many children participating,” she added.

The Children’s Air Ambulance – part of The Air Ambulance Service which operates the local Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance – is a national service which is changing the face of paediatric and neonatal care through the high-speed transfer of critically ill babies and children – flying them from one hospital to another for specialist care.

Not only will Nea’s design be showcased across the lifesaving charity, but her design has been transformed into a festive card and is now available to purchase across all the charity’s stores and online.

Nea recently went into your local air ambulance store in Wellingborough town centre, to see her design on sale, and receive a hamper of goodies from the charity’s mascot, Blade.

“I was very excited to see my card stocked in the Wellingborough Air Ambulance boutique, and I really hope that it will bring a lot of smiles and donations for children’s air ambulance,” expressed Nea.

Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown says: “We are so happy to announce that Nea is our competition winner, we think her design is fantastic and we are excited to see people sending loved ones her card this Christmas.

“It’s also great to see Nea sign up to become a member of #TheCrew, our children’s club linked to the charity.”

As part of #TheCrew, children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising and how a charity works. The club offers advice and teaching on community work, volunteering, working as part of a team and supporting good causes – which form part of many school curriculums.

“It’s a brilliant club to get involved with and it is completely free to join, and, once signed up, members will receive an awesome welcome pack,” added Anoushka.

The charity is now launching this year’s Christmas card competition and is encouraging Northamptonshire youngsters to get involved and submit their entries by 06 January 2023, for a chance to become the next competition winner.

Store manager at the charity’s Market Street boutique, Natalie Crowley, added, “It was a great moment to see Nea’s reaction when she saw her Christmas card stocked in our store.

“We really do encourage people to come into our boutique to not only buy Nea’s Christmas card, but to also start their Christmas shopping early and buy some of the wonderful winter stock we have, at such a bargain!”

To enter this year’s competition or to find out more, click here.