A powerful poster by schoolgirl Poppy Gallimore has been declared the winning design in a veterans’ arts competition.

The competition was organised by staff at Tameside Hospital with Poppy’s picture outlining the important role the armed forces play in keeping us all safe.

As a Veteran Aware organisation, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT wanted to show how it aims to give the best possible care and treatment to people who have served in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. 

To do that local primary and secondary schoolchildren were invited to design a poster to show what ‘Veteran Aware’ means to them.

Eight-year-old Poppy, from Denton, was invited to meet Fiona New, Associate Medical Director who leads on the Trust Veteran Aware Support Group, on Armistice Day last Thursday. 

She was presented with a gift voucher and was able to share her work with staff, patients and visitors.

Mum Kelly said Poppy took time to research the topic as she wanted to get it just right, but once she had the words, the poster was completed in just 20 minutes. 

“Poppy couldn’t believe she’d won when she was told, and she did ask if it was because her name was Poppy and it was being announced on Armistice Day. 

“For her it wasn’t about the prize she was just so amazed she’d been chosen. 

“She loved sharing her poster with her friends at Corrie Primary School. Her great grandad was in the SAS. 

“She never knew him, but she’s always chatting to my dad about him so maybe that helped her better understand the role the armed services play.”

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper