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Pupils at an Erdington school will see athletes go for gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after winning tickets through a sustainable art competition ran by Severn Trent. 

The water company challenged pupils across the region to show their passion for sustainability by upcycling an item in their home or school into something they might find in a forest. This follows Severn Trent’s successful planting of 72 Tiny Forests across the Midlands earlier this year. 

SS Mary and John Catholic Primary School took first place after children across years one to six produced some excellent entries, including year four pupil Lucas Dimitriev’s beehive made out of a plastic sweet jar, tissue paper and cotton buds – 20 pairs of tickets for Games events such as athletics, table tennis and swimming were won. 

Shannon Ryan, teacher at SS Mary and John Catholic Primary School in Erdington, said: “We had over 40 children bring in superb entries. The children took so much pride in their work and learnt the importance of recycling plastic and reducing waste for our environment. When the pupils found out that we’d won the tickets they were ecstatic.” 

As the Official Nature and Carbon Neutral Partner of Birmingham 2022, Severn Trent is delivering a series of initiatives to leave a social and environmental legacy following the Games.

Aside from the 72 Tiny Forests planted earlier this year, the company has committed to creating 2,022 acres of Commonwealth Forest across the region to help offset the carbon generated by the Games. The company will also be operating free water refill stations at every Games venue. 

Shannon added: "We first heard about the competition following an exciting visit from Severn Trent’s education team, who informed us all about the wonderful work Severn Trent is doing for the Commonwealth Games.  

“For some of our children, it was the first time they had heard about the Games and they were so excited at the thought of it coming to our special city. It’s wonderful that our children can have a chance to experience this once in a lifetime event, and for many of them, see live sport for the first time.” 

Richard Eadie, Head of Sustainability at Severn Trent, said: “At Severn Trent we love spreading the word about sustainability. We know that what’s good for nature is good for water and as a company taking care of one of life’s essentials, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on the communities and the environment where we live and operate. 

“It has been wonderful seeing the entries come in and to see how pupils across our region share the same passion for sustainability as we do. And we hope that the year four class absolutely love their experience at Birmingham 2022!”