28/11/2006 - Photo opportunity: Abbie's poster licks opposition in 'lollipop' campaign

A poster competition at Brampton Infant school to help find them a school crosser has been won by six year old Abbie Stalker.

Abbie's winning design was one of over 35 drawn by the children in a competition to create an advertising poster that Cumbria County Council could use in Brampton, and throughout the county, to encourage people to become school crossers.

Along with many other local authorities in the UK, Cumbria is finding it difficult to recruit people, and 32 of its 91 school crossing sites currently need a crosser. One of the main reasons people give for not wanting to do the job is that it ties them to the area for just an hour or so in the morning and again in the afternoon, with nothing in between.

However, most people who do take it up say they find it very rewarding; they feel they are part of the community and enjoy getting to know both children and parents.

Abbie's poster shows a crosser stopping a car on a sunny and cloudy day, with the message 'please may you help us cross the road'. Her choice of prize, a bicycle, will be presented to her by the council's Barbara Cross, an account manager who recruits crossers for the Carlisle area. Abbie will be receiving her prize from Barbara at morning assembly tomorrow (Wednesday 29 November) at 10.15am.

The judging panel for the posters included chair of Carlisle Local Committee Cyril Weber, Cabinet Member for Children's Services Philip Chappelhow and Barbara herself.

Barbara said:

"The posters were all absolutely stunning, and it was very difficult to pick a winner. The children all feel that it is very important to have a crosser on duty each day to see them safely across the road, and they were pleased to do their bit to help us find somebody.

"Following publicity about the competition, even before the poster was produced we got a crosser for Brampton infants. But Abbie's poster will be helping us with crosser recruitment campaigns across the county." 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a crossing guide, telephone Nora McMullin or Catherine Moody on 01228 607712. The rate of pay is £5.94 an hour.

ENDS

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer/camera to Brampton Infant School, Moat Street in Brampton, at 10.00am on Wednesday 29 November

Further information from Alison Lister, media team on 01228 606335