Sandwell trio are London-bound after taking top place in Daley Thompson competition

Published on 18th July 2012

Three artistic Sandwell youngsters are under starter's orders for the sporting trip of a lifetime after winning a competition launched for borough schools by Olympic hero Daley Thompson.

Competition winner Amy BoydenSophie Rowberry, from St Paul's Primary School, Tipton; Iffath Choudhury from Phoenix Secondary School; and Amy Boyden from The Westminster School, Rowley Regis, 'struck gold' in the competition organised by Sandwell Council and BT.

The triumphant trio each won three tickets to the London 2012 Paralympics Games, donated by BT, who are an official sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.

Sandwell students were challenged by decathlete Daley Thompson to create a picture depicting what the Olympics meant to them, during the official opening of the BT building in Providence Place earlier this year.

More than 100 pupils took up the challenge. All the entries can now be viewed at a special online gallery at the Sandwell for 2012 website.

Ian Coward, BT business change manager and competition co-ordinator, Competition winner Sophie Rowberrysaid: "This art competition was designed to bring the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics to Sandwell.

"It certainly seems to have captured the imagination of all the young people who took part.

"We were overwhelmed by the number and quality of entries, which made the job of the judging panel extremely hard."

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell's cabinet member for jobs and economy, said: "It's great that, thanks to our partnership with BT, school children from Sandwell will be able to attend the Paralympics and get a real taste of the Games.

"I'd like to personally congratulate everyone who has taken part - it's a shame there could only be three winners."

The 10-strong judging panel included representatives from BT, Sandwell Council, Sandwell Leisure Trust and Transform Sandwell.

Competition winner Iffath ChoudhuryIn addition to the three overall winners, the 14 other finalists were:

  • Alyssia Jeanes and Bethan Tattersall from Bleakhouse Primary School
  • Daisy Evans from Rowley Hall Primary School
  • Rosie Keeling, Molly Macdonald and Kimchee Crawford from St Paul's Primary School
  • Shamsher Singh, Terezia Demeterous, Courtney Harold and Bethney Jevans from Phoenix Secondary School
  • Asha Jones, Alice Wilkinson, Ajar Toor and Chantal Turford from The Westminster School.