One of our Year 8 students has won the regional finals of the Lions International Peace Poster competition 2018. The theme this year is Kindness Matters and Thalia has got through with her painting of a child offering shelter to a homeless person.
The theme got Thalia thinking that the message that kindness counts in every small act we perform and she wanted to make a real difference to the homeless. Thalia has her winning picture printed as cards so that people can write a card for the homeless.
“During last year ‘Hugh,’ a homeless man would stop near our own home and me and my family give him regular donations of food and essential items,” said Thalia. “Earlier this winter Hugh came back to tell us he was back on his feet so it shows that anybody and everybody can make a difference.”
Every penny raised will go to the housing charity Shelter and cards have also been given to the charity so that the homeless can benefit directly.
The cards have been on sale in school and have proved popular with staff and students. Kindness is one of our five core values and Thalia has certainly shown that every kind act, even small ones can make huge differences.
Talking about her painting Thalia said: “In my painting there is a homeless person in the doorway with a small child offering an umbrella for shelter; the homeless person blends in with the background showing that they are often left to become invisible.”
Thalia has also been granted the national Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. She was presented with an Excellence Award by the Lord Mayor of Coventry for her history of participation and inspirational and extraordinary work. The Godiva Trust presented her with a commemorative Queen’s award badge.