It's that time of year again, the MP's Christmas Card Competition and Jon Cruddas, as with previous years has spent days agonizing over the winning card. Since the cards were collected from the thirteen schools taking part Jon has been up all night surrounded by cards trying to decide upon a winner.
The competition is the biggest it has ever been with fourteen schools from across the whole constituency taking part. Schools this year included; La Salette Catholic Primary School, William Ford, Marsh Green Primary School, Rainham Village Primary School, Trinity School, Brady Primary School, Warren Junior School, William Bellamy, Marks Gate Junior School, Leys Primary School, Parsonage Farm Primary School, St. Albans Catholic Primary School, Newtons Primary School and Beam County Primary School.
Jon Cruddas MP was at the Civic Centre on Friday 21st November to make the final call on who would win the 2014 competition. Jon simply couldn't decide between so many exceptional designs so this year, as the competition is the biggest it has ever been Jon has chosen two winners ? both of which will be printed in the thousands and sent out as Jon's official Christmas Card.
Jon Cruddas commented: "Another year and another amazing turnout, as always there was a lot of deliberating over a winner ? this year was especially hard with so many great cards to pick from! This is definitely my favourite event of the year; sat in the Dagenham Civic Centre, surrounded by the colourful designs of our talented young people from all across Dagenham, Rainham, South Hornchurch and Elm Park.
"I was so hard pressed to choose a single winner that this year, due to the amazing support of local businesses I was able to choose two! As with last year, we are giving the winning pupils the chance to choose a prize, asking them what they really want for Christmas. Instead of presenting the children with pre-chosen prizes I think this is a way to make it extra special."
The sponsors have also increased for the fourth year running with companies such as London City Airport, West Ham, Woollens Estate Agents, Rainham Steel, Liberty Credit Union and many more.
The winners are Love Williams, age 10 from Marks Gate Junior School and Kareena Thind, Age 6 from Brady Primary School. This year's runner up is Mia Rwapunga from Marsh Green Primary School. There will also be a winner and runner up from every school that entered and a prize for the school with the most entrants.
The presentation event will be held on Friday 5th December in the Council Chamber at the Dagenham Civic Centre ? not only will the children get to meet Jon Cruddas MP this year, but Santa will also be popping by to congratulate the lucky winners for a second year running!