Strabane BID join forces with local schools to design town’s own Christmas cards for 2023
13 November 2023
The Strabane BID have launched a new pair of Christmas cards depicting the town during the festive season which will be sold to raise funds for the Strabane Community Project’s Grass Roots Cafe and Food Market and raise awareness of the Strabane Gift Card.
The cards were designed following a competition with local primary and secondary schools to design the town’s very own Christmas cards for 2023.
The Primary Schools section was won by Year 6 student Leilani Cawley from Sion Mills PS and Alex Kerlin, a Year 13 student at Holy Cross College claimed the Secondary title.
The winners both received a £50 gift card and will see their designs printed and available for sale locally this Christmas.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, praised all those involved in the initiative.
“Congratulations to all the pupils who took part in this initiative and particularly the two winning entries who will now see their designs mass produced and in local stores this Christmas,” she said.
“This was a brilliant initiative to encourage local children to have civic pride in their town and to celebrate the value of supporting local businesses, not just at Christmas but all year round.
“The cards are a lovely way to wish friends and family at home and abroad a Merry Christmas from Strabane while raising funds for a charity in the heart of the community.”
The judging panel for the competition consisted of Strabane BID board members.
Strabane BID Chair Kieran Kennedy praised the standard of the entries and the ethos of the initiative.
“The quality of submissions was exceptional and showcased a wide array of talent from primary and secondary schools within a five mile radius of the town,” he said.
“They are the entrepreneurs and customers of tomorrow so the Strabane BID have been working with local schools to develop a love local shop local ethos from an early age. Our Strabane Gift Card is a fantastic way of supporting local and we wanted to raise awareness of that through this initiative. Every penny spent on a Strabane Gift Card goes directly back into our local businesses and we have been able to promote the Strabane Gift Card through this Christmas Card Competition.
“Well done to everyone who submitted an entry and in particular our two category winners.”
The Strabane Community Project’s Grass Roots Café and Food Market Manager Ursula Doherty thanked the Strabane BID for making them their chosen charity for the initiative.
“The Manager, Coordinator, staff and volunteers of Grass Roots Cafe and Food Market are delighted to be named as the recipient Charity for the Christmas card initiative, this is a fantastic initiative by Strabane BID involving local primary and secondary schools.
“This not only raises funds for our Grass Roots concept in supporting families and individuals, it also raises awareness across the schools and our wider community and by coming together we can build a stronger community.”
For full details about the Strabane BID visit www.derrystrabane.com/business/business-support/strabane-bid
Strabane Gift Cards can be purchased from O’Neills Sportswear, The Alley Theatre or online at www.lovestrabane.com
Information on where to purchase the Strabane Christmas Cards will be posted on the Love Strabane social media pages when selling agents are confirmed.