Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner and her Deputy have sent out their Christmas cards – which feature a festive illustration drawn by a seven-year-old boy from East Surrey.
Lisa Townsend and Ellie Vesey-Thompson invited children from across the county to submit artwork for their 2024 card.
The winning design was sent in by Felix Taylor, who lives in Reigate. Felix decided to post the Commissioner his drawing after his school shared news of the competition in a weekly parent communication email.
He will enjoy his prize – a family trip to Bocketts Farm – with his brother and sister, five-year-old twins Edith and Oscar.
Mum Jennifer said Felix gets his love of art from his grandad, and the two often spend time drawing together.
It’s the third time Lisa and Ellie have asked young artists to send in their work for the Christmas card, and the first time the competition has been opened to the public.
For the past two years, children supported by services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner were asked to submit their designs.
Last year’s photograph was taken by a young person supported by charity Catch22, which works with those affected by criminal exploitation. The previous year, the wining artwork was sent in by I Choose Freedom, which provides refuge to women and children escaping harm.
Festive cheer
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has a fund of £275,000 specifically for initiatives and organisations that support children and young people in the 2024/25 financial year.
Lisa said: “It is a real privilege to serve everyone living in this wonderful county.
“I’m very proud of the work that is done by my office and our brilliant partners, and I look forward to achieving more for residents in 2025.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who work for Surrey Police for their tireless efforts to keep us all safe, and to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and new year.”
Ellie said: “We both absolutely loved Felix’s festive design, and he was our clear winner.
“On the back of this year’s card, we’ve shared the best ways to contact Surrey Police – so we expect that this card will still be stuck to fridges around the county long into next year!”
A lovely snowman design by Reigate schoolboy Felix, seven, is the winner of this year’s Christmas card competition