The Big Issue calls on children to get creative for its Christmas Kids Cover Competition

THE Big Issue is calling on young people aged 13 and under to send in their drawings for the annual Christmas Kids Cover Competition. The winning design will feature on the front of hundreds of thousands of magazines sold across Britain. Since the 1st competition in 2013, The Big Issue has seen thousands of entries from young readers. The theme of this year's competition is:- 'Christmas Wishes' and designs can take any form, from drawings to paintings to digital art.

The entries will be judged by the Editor of The Big Issue, Paul McNamee, as well as 2 guest judges Nick Sheridan and Sarah McInyre. Nick is a Journalist and Broadcaster whose new book called:- 'Breaking News' is out, on 23 December 2021. Sarah is an acclaimed children's Author and Illustrator best known for her books including Grumpycorn and Dinosaur Firefighters.

Paul McNamee, Editor of The Big Issue, said:- "I ho, ho, ho, hope kids will blow us away with their amazing artwork! All of our vendors look forward to selling a magazine with the winning kids cover. The only problem is how hard it'll be to pick the winner!"

Sarah McIntyre, Author and Illustrator, said:- "I can't wait to see what children come up with for bright, bold Big Issue covers! I'm thrilled to be judging, it's going to be amazing… I hope lots of young artists enter their pictures into this year's Christmas Kids Cover competition."

Nick Sheridan, Journalist and Author, added:- "I'm utterly thrilled to be 1 of the judges of the competition! As long as the kids are having fun making the cover, we're going to have fun judging it. Let your imagination run wild!"

Entrants need to make sure to include:- 'THE BIG ISSUE' on the cover and send entries in by 22 November 2021.

Entrants can post entries to:-

Christmas Kids Cover Competition
The Big Issue
43 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 1HW

You can also send it by emailing your high resolution pictures to:- Editorial@BigIssue.Com, along with your name, age, address and telephone or email contact on all entries. The Big Issue can't return artwork, but will print as many pictures as possible onto the page. All entries will also feature in an online gallery. The Big Issue recently celebrated its 30th Birthday, in that time the organisation has helped over 105,000 vendors earn over ₤144 million. Please go out and buy a copy from your local vendor, subscribe online or donate to our:- BigIssue.com campaign.

Civic buildings' process becomes light fantastic

ORGANISATIONS and charities wishing to promote their causes by lighting up or flying flags from Liverpool's civic buildings are now able to use a more transparent process. Liverpool Town Hall, St George's Hall and the Cunard Building can be illuminated in a host of colours to mark special occasions, anniversaries and highlight causes. However, increased requests have now meant that a new online process be put in place to help manage demand. Requests will be considered according to several criteria, for example campaigns must be inclusive and cannot be political, and will be jointly considered by the Offices of the Lord Mayor, the Mayor of Liverpool, and Liverpool City Council's Chief Executive. Applications will then be approved by an elected member and a Council Officer. Approval will also be subject to whether there is already an agreement for lighting or flag flying in place, and if there are events taking place in the buildings at that particular time. Requests will receive a response within 21 days. Applications for lighting up buildings and flag flying can be made through the online form:- Liverpool.Gov.UK.

Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for culture and the visitor economy:- "Our civic buildings look wonderful when they are illuminated so it's understandable that there is a lot of demand from organisations wanting to use them to highlight good causes and campaigns. We try our best to support all requests, but sometimes this just isn't possible. To make the process as fair and transparent as possible we have developed a clear set of criteria as well as a new request form which will make requesting building lighting and flag flying much easier."