Locals urged to vote for Dromore contestant Ryan

Ryan Corbett has had the image he created, to raise the public’s awareness of renewable resources, shortlisted in the ‘Design an Image’ competition.

If he goes on to win, Ryan will pocket a £100 personal prize with the chance of an added £2,000 donation to Dromore High to fund an environmental project.

Up to three entries from each UK region were selected for the competition shortlist and organisers are now urging locals to get voting for 13 year-old Ryan.

The entry that receives the most public votes will progress to the final stage and be judged by a panel of experts in March.

Tetra Pak and WWF-UK will then use the winning image in future campaign activities to promote the importance of renewable resources.

“We are urging everyone in the area to support Ryan and visit our website - www.renewableidea.co.uk - to vote for his entry,” a spokesperson said.

“You can vote once every day and the entries with the most votes will go through to the final judging day in March; each vote adds points to an online donation counter, helping raise vital funds for WWF-UK.

“Voting will close at 23.59 on 01 March 2012.”

Tetra Pak and WWF-UK worked with education professionals to develop a set of supporting resources for schools and teachers to introduce the important subject of renewable resources and help pupils understand the impact their choices have on the natural environment.

“The resources explore topics such as sustainable living, thinking global and acting local and environmental poetry,” the spokesperson said, “as well as the importance of choosing goods and materials from renewable resources.

“All lesson plans link to elements of Key Stage two or three learning, within the National Curriculum.”

Cherry Duggan, Head of Schools and Community Relations at WWF-UK, added, “Young people are the parents, citizens and decision-makers of the future, but they also have a great impact and influence now.

“We want to help them make wise choices about the environment on which we all depend. Learning and caring about where our everyday products come from – and making informed choices on what they consume – is a hugely important lesson.”

Tetra Pak UK’s Director of Environment and Communications, Rupert Maitland-Titterton, said, “We’re urging everyone to vote to support the entrants in their region.

“We are now down to less than 25 entries from over 1,000, but we need the public’s help to decide which go through to the final. Not only will these votes decide the final line-up but each one will also add points to our donation counter and help generate funds for WWF-UK.”

For more information on the competition - open to 7-14 years-olds who are residents of the UK and ROI only - partnership or ‘renewability’, or to vote for your favourite entries, visit the Renewable Idea website: www.renenewableidea.co.uk.