Rhys, 7, wins Leeds-wide contest with story on life in lockdown

Rhys Davies, seven, of Morley, has been named the winner of the most recent #OurChildFriendlyLeeds competition which has been running online to help keep young people busy while stuck indoors.

Organised by Child Friendly Leeds - the Leeds City Council-run initiative - the contest has different themes each fortnight, with the latest being 'Have a Voice', encouraging youngsters to share their lockdown stories for a 'newspaper front cover'.

Rhys, a pupil at Morley Newlands Primary School, wrote a compelling article which talked about how life in lockdown was "really hard" because he can't see his friends or go to school.

He highlighted positives including "animals are safe because people don't go out as much in their cars" and "you can always hear birds tweeting but not much else can be heard" but ended his article with "I miss doing stuff with friends".

Dad Paul, 40, said Rhys was over the moon to win the competition adding: "He is delighted and so proud of himself. I thought his story was really good - it was interesting to see what he was actually thinking and feeling."

Coun Salma Arif, who is the lead for Child Friendly Leeds, chose Rhys as the winner. She said: “All of the entrants shared powerful stories of their lockdown experiences and it was very hard to pick just one winner.

"However, Rhys very innocently portrayed his feelings and it pulled at my heartstrings. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his story."

Coun Fiona Venner, executive member for Children and Families said: “We are aware of the impact that lockdown has had on many young people in Leeds, and it has been inspiring to see partners across Leeds come together to provide fun and accessible online activities for children at this time.

"The ‘OurChildFriendlyLeeds’ competition has been overwhelmingly positive, and we hope to use all of the entries to create a visual representation of Leeds children’s lives in lockdown when restrictions are lifted.

"Well done to everyone who has taken part.”

The competition's themes are revealed fortnightly and are based on the five outcomes of the city's Children and Young People's plan.

The first theme, 'Staying Safe' was won by Harrison Long, 11, who created a rainbow-themed 'thank you to key workers' poster.

The second encouraged people to 'Stay Active' and was won by sisters Holly, eight, and Lilly Hobson, five, who choreographed and performed a special Earth Day dance.

The third theme, about ‘having fun’ on VE Day, was won by Rueben Brearley, six, who made a model spitfire and a war-time potato gratin.

The final theme of 'Skills for Life' is now open, encouraging children to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Visit the Children Friendly Leeds blog to find out more and enter via social media using the hashtag #OurChildFriendlyLeeds before June 12.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004.

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor