Bridgestone Receives Record Entries for “dreams at heArt” contest

The number of entries for Bridgestone’s “dreams at heArt” children’s drawing contest received during 2008 set a new record. A total of 40,700 entries were received from children in 20 European countries, and in mid-May a panel of judges in Brussels selected the 90 winners for this year’s contest, their decisions based upon the originality, creativity and impact of the work.

Combining the issue of ecology with that of road safety, this year’s theme was “Safe Travel on Planet Ecopia”. Primary school children throughout Europe were invited to draw, colour or paint their dreams of how this planet might look. As in previous years, winners were selected in each of three age categories: up to 7 years, 8 to 9, and 10 to 11. The top three winners in each category receive a Bridgestone bicycle and safety helmet; the 4th to 10th placed receive a Bridgestone tennis set of racket and balls; and the 11th to 30th placed in each category win a safety bag. The top nine winners are also acknowledged in a special way – their work will be painted onto a Bridgestone GP2 Series racing car. In addition, a digital camera will be gifted to their school.

Most importantly, adds Bridgestone, every child who enters the competition receives his or her drawing printed on a T-shirt. Bridgestone says it may also award other prizes and organise ceremonies in local markets, in recognition of schools’ support and the individual efforts of children who participated.

“We are very impressed by how these children express their views on road safety and ecology” said Gerry Duffy, vice president Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone Europe. “Bridgestone wants to build on this enthusiasm and has decided to send its own staff into schools to further educate children about some of the safety and ecological issues we face.”

As part of Bridgestone’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, the “dreams at heArt” children’s drawing contest aims to encourage citizens of the future to think about road safety and express their creativity. Now in its fourth year, it is open to all children in Europe up to the age of 11 years and features a different theme for each edition.

Judges for this year’s competition were Mr Lowie Vermeersch, chief designer of Pininfarina S.p.A., Mr David Ward, Director General of the FIA Foundation, and Dr Anne Adriaens-Pannier of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.