A talented nine-year-old is on his way to his drawing dream after winning a competition to design a new logo for Renfrewshire Toy Bank.
Founder Lauren Roy-Sutherland announced in December after another successful Christmas appeal that the toy bank was becoming a year-round organisation with birthday gifts, Easter eggs and Halloween treats all being given out to children in need.
And, to mark the change, she appealed for children and adults to come up with a new design for the logo to reflect the work the charity does.
After dozens of fantastic entries, Renfrew lad Charlie Neil’s colourful and thoughtful design was chosen as the winner.
Charlie, who wants to be an illustrator when he’s older, said: “I looked at other logos to see what I could do. I also looked online to see what are the most popular toys.
“I thought about what toys would be the best in the letters. I thought the road was good for the B because it looked like roundabouts.
“It took me about an afternoon to do it. I enjoyed it because I enjoy drawing and I want to be an illustrator.
“I was really happy that my logo was chosen.”
Charlie, who attends Kirklandneuk Primary, received some Lego of his favourite Avengers character, Thanos, and a box of Creme Eggs as a prize.
Charlie’s parents Janine and Steven said they’re really proud of him.
Janine said: “He really did work hard on it, looking at logos and thinking about it.
“It shows that hard work does pay off. It’s what he wants to do when he’s older, so that’s even better.
“I can’t stop looking at the finished design, it’s just like Charlie’s.
“He said he couldn’t believe it was going to be the logo for years.
“We’re so proud of him.
“It’s for a great cause helping other children so, hopefully, this will bring the charity some good, positive attention.”
Lauren appealed on Facebook and to nurseries and primary schools for people to design the logo. The board picked its favourites and it went to a public vote on Facebook, with Charlie’s chosen as the winner.
Paisley design company Muirmedia agreed to bring the logo to life free of charge and added in little extras like the Santa, pumpkin and Easter egg to reflect the new year-round appeals.
Lauren said: “We thought this would be a nice thing for children to get involved in.
“We liked Charlie’s design because it was so colourful and bold and we liked that it had a mixture of different toys on it.
“You can tell straight away from the picture that it’s a children’s charity, even without reading it.
“Well done to Charlie for drawing such a brilliant picture and a big thank you to Muirmedia for finalising the logo.”
To find out more about Renfrewshire Toy Bank, go to ww.facebook.com/renfrewshirechristmastoybank
