PROMISING young artists will see their creations blown up and painted across the walls of the Great Western Hospital’s new dedicated children’s accident and emergency unit.

A total of five colourful drawings were selected after much deliberation out of 400 entries to decorate the emergency department as part of a Swindon-wide competition.

GWH is currently revamping its A&E department, which will soon include a special children’s waiting area and treatment rooms with private cubicles.

The aim is to provide families with a more relaxed and peaceful environment, away from the busy general waiting area for adults.

Back in September, the Adver launched the Making it Better appeal to help them raise more than £20,000 for soft furnishings to make what is often a scary experience for youngsters, slightly more bearable.

The fun and colourful designs will be displayed in the unit to ensure the ward appears warm and welcoming.

Nine-year-old Amelia Jack, a pupil at Robert Le Kyng Primary School, was the winner in the favourite animal category with her watercolour of a rabbit.

Amelie Bezzant, six, from Red Oaks School, scooped first prize in the favourite film section for her portrait of Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.

A drawing of The Simpsons by Megan Parmenter, 13, from Kingsdown School, will also be displayed in the children’s area after she won in the favourite TV character class.

She said: “I just love The Simpsons, I watch it all the time. I didn’t expect to win. I was quite happy when I found out.”

Phoebe Ford, 13, of Isambard Community School won the favourite book category with her drawing of Rapunzel, while 10-year-old Katie Elliott’s picture of a swimmer came top in the sport section.

Katie, who attends Haydonleigh Primary, said: “I love swimming. I started when I was four and I’m part of the Swindon Dolphins. I screamed in the car when my mum picked me up at school and told me I had won.”

The department will officially open at the end of January when the children’s works of arts will be unveiled to the public.

Victoria Brown, head of service for unscheduled care at Great Western Hospital, said: “With the help of artists from Cowshed Studio in South Cerney, we will be bringing the winners’ artwork to life on the walls of our new children’s emergency department. We hope to complete the artwork by the end of January 2014 and the winners will be invited back to see the finished results.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the children who took part in the competition and to all the local schools for their support.”

  • If you would like to donate, please visit the Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/GWH-ED-Appeal or text GWED50 with your amount to 70070. People can also claim gift aid at no extra cost.
  • Alternatively, donate by cheque, make a donation in person at the cashiers’ office on the ground floor, call Hannah Persaud to talk about other ways to fundraise on 01793 605631, or email her at fundraising@gwh.nhs.uk.
  • Cheques can be made out to Great Western Hospital and sent to Fundraising Manager, Fundraising Department, Trust HQ, Floor Two, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 6BB.
  • Highly commended entries: George Deboucicault Calthrop, five, Sutton Benger Church of England School Mia Smith, 11, Nova Hreod School Francesca Steward, seven, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School Yanni Causer, seven, Swindon Charlotte Hooker, eight, Rodbourne Cheney Primary School