Over the last few months thousands of youngsters all over Courier Country took part in our Draw Your Mum project.
Now it’s the turn of the dads and The Courier is inviting all pupils in primaries three and four to draw a picture of their father, along with a short message to be published in the paper in the run-up to Father’s Day on June 18.
Welcome packs have been sent to all local primary schools this week and if you have not received yours by Monday April 24 please contact Sharon Methven at smethven@dcthomson.co.uk
It’s completely free to enter Draw Your Dad, with no cost to the pupils or the school to take part.
Here are a few pointers to bear in mind: drawings must be on the template provided in the welcome pack but teachers can photocopy more if needed. We recommend using bold colours – crayons and felt tip pens show up best.
Try to get the picture in the centre of the template provided and make the picture as large as possible within the template. Please remember to include the school participation form complete with your contact details and send the pictures to Draw Your Mum, Newspaper Marketing, DC Thomson & Co. Ltd, 2 Albert Square, Dundee DD1 9QJ. The closing date for entries is Friday May 19.
This year’s Draw Your Dad logo was designed by Mackenzie Longden. Mackenzie, a pupil at Craigie Primary School in Perth, drew this great picture of his dad Mark in last year’s Draw Your Dad project, along with the message “You are the best dad in the world,” and we have chosen it to inspire pupils all over Country Country to get to work on their masterpieces.
Mark, who works for a building supplies company, is chuffed to bits that Mackenzie’s drawing has been chosen. “I’m really excited for Mackenzie as I know he’ll be bouncing off the walls when he sees it,” he smiles. “He’s certainly captured my expression and even remembered the company logo on my jumper.
“I’m proud of him for taking part in last year’s project and I know he’ll be getting involved with his classmates again this year.”
Mackenzie, nine, and younger brother Oliver aren’t the only members of the family to go to Craigie Primary – the boys’ mum Michelle also went there.
“It’s a really lovely school and the teachers are great,” says Mark. “It goes without saying that whatever projects the school runs I want my children to get stuck in and get involved. It’s great training for life and gives them confidence and the ability to get on with others.”
There’s no doubt that Mark is a hands-on dad. Although he works long hours, he dedicates most of his spare time to spending with the boys, including running a football club with some other parents on Saturday mornings. “They’re over the moon when I’m on holiday,” he laughs.
“You have to give your time to them – it’s vital. Whenever they want to explore something new, I want to be there helping them through it,” he continues.
Artistic talent runs in the Longden family – Mark’s brother Jonathan won a prize for his drawing of an owl when he was a lad. Mackenzie is pleased his picture has been chosen and has a few tips for creating a portrait to be proud of: “Do a sketch in pencil first so you can rub out any mistakes and then colour it in brightly,” he suggests.
So what treats might Mackenzie and Oliver have up their sleeves for their dad on Father’s Day? “Last year they gave me a quad biking experience at Crieff Hydro, which was fantastic,” beams Mark. “They like nothing more than a boys’ day so it might be a day at Knockhill or at the football,” he says hopefully.
