Member Article

Schoolgirls’ eye-catching design wins shoes for classmates

ANIMAL loving schoolgirls with an eye for design have won themselves and their classmates brand new shoes.

For the second year in a row Pallister Park School in Middlesbrough won the ‘Design a Shoe’ contest run by North East-based Charles Clinkard.

Abigail and Isabelle both eight, took the honours in the competition to design footwear to help them in their dream job.

And the judges at Charles Clinkard were so impressed with the girls’ animal rescue themed shoes the company decided to kit out the whole year instead.

Features included a secret compartment for animal treats, a poop scoop bag in the heel and jewels that had a calming effect on scared animals.

Their creative and colourful 3D design also included a battery powered circuit and bulb to show how the shoes would light up in the dark (for nocturnal animals of course) - something they had learned in their science class.

Abigail and Isabelle were inspired by their love of animals – Abigail has two guinea pigs and a fish at home and is also responsible for handling the class’s pet stick insects, cleaning out their enclosure and cutting privet for them every week.

Isabelle has a rabbit called Nibbles and looks after her teacher’s pet tortoise George when he visits.

The youngsters received their new shoes when they visited the Charles Clinkard store in Middlesbrough to have their feet measured by experts.

Chris Wain, Head Teacher at Pallister Park, said: “We encourage creativity and this competition has really helped the children use their imagination.

“We are thrilled that Abigail and Isabelle won the competition and that Pallister Park won for the second year - and it’s even more special that all the children in the year were able to share the prize.

“We’re delighted that Charles Clinkard decided to run the competition and grateful for their generous prize of 60 pairs of shoes.”

Charles Clinkard, managing director, said: “I think there are lots of people out there who remember having their feet measured at Charles Clinkard when they were growing up, as we’ve been providing children’s shoes for generations.

“Middlesbrough was where the company began so we’re thrilled that it was Middlesbrough where the children came to choose their new shoes.”

Charles Clinkard now has 34 stores nationwide including Teesside Retail Park, Darlington, Redcar, Northallerton, Dalton Park and Newcastle and employs more than 600 people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chloe Watson .