Shape International School, an MOD School, based in Belgium, has won a photography competition to capture the most striking images of Red, White & Blue Day, a military themed fundraising campaign for schools.
Red, White & Blue Day is run annually by the UK’s three Service charities; ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. On the day, children come to school dressed in red, white and blue clothing, and donate £1 in support of Service families.
The competition saw hundreds of entries from schools across the UK and even from some schools in the Falkland Islands and Brunei. A panel of photography and media experts including Royal photographer Arthur Edwards MBE selected the winning shots. The photographs were captured by Mrs Nina Harris, Assistant School Business Manager. The school’s prize was a unique ‘Next of kin Memorial Plaque’ from Private Arthur William Franklin of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 4th June, 1916 aged 18.
Patty Wallis, Project Manager for Red, White & Blue Day commented: “Every year we are sent many photographs taken on the day by schools showing how much fun they and the children had. So this year, we asked all of the schools taking part to capture their best images of the day and we received a really fantastic response. Each school looked like they were really enjoying themselves. It was tough to narrow them down, but Shape’s pictures really captured what Red, White & Blue Day is all about.”
Head judge Arthur Edwards MBE added: “The picture of the young girl smiling at the soldier, it’s the look on both their faces that made it a winner for me. The second picture of children throwing their paper planes was particularly well framed. It showed such happiness and was full of action”.
Mr Rowley Bucknill, Headmaster of SHAPE International School said: “We had such an enjoyable day fundraising for such worthwhile causes and are very proud to have won this competition. I hope that these pictures are a reflection of that and the supportive military and school community that we have in SHAPE. The Memorial Plaque takes on even more significance due to the local history relating to WW1 and we shall display it with pride.”
You can register your interest in Red, White & Blue day on their website: www.redwhiteblueday.co.uk