THREE winners of the Fostering In Somerset Creative Writing Competition, including one from Wellington, scooped £250 in vouchers, as well as £250 in vouchers for their chosen school.

Somerset residents of all ages were encouraged to write a short story of up to 1,000 words for Foster Care Fortnight in May for the chance to win a share of £1,500 of vouchers.

Somerset County Council’s fostering and library services received over 100 entries and judges whittled these down to three winners.

In the ten years and under category, the winning short story was How Far Can A Smile Go? by Millie Rutherford. In the 11-17 year section, Grandfather by Madison Bought, of Court Fields School, Wellington, was the winner, while Rowan Patterson’s Learning Harmony won the 18-plus category.

The stories needed to reflect one of the key messages of Fostering In Somerset’s Theo’s Story campaign, which include personal struggles, compassion, positive change and making a difference.

Theo’s Story is a short emotive animation which shows a lone bear being ‘fostered’ by an adult bear highlighting how fostering can open a new chapter in a child’s life.

Madison said: “I hadn’t really heard much about Fostering In Somerset, but I felt touched after watching Theo’s Story, and felt inspired to write about the impacts family has on a person’s life.

“After brainstorming several ideas, I chose to write about the loss of my Grandad in November. We would paint and watch old films together, and just like in my story, I would read to him as he did to me when I was very little. There is also a character in my story called Dr Leigh Vere - which is actually an anagram for my Grandad’s name.

“I was so shocked when I received the phone call that I had won. I was revising for my Spanish GCSE exam, and I was over the moon. It was such an incredible feeling that I immediately texted my Mum to say ‘I have the best news for you when you get home!’”

Each of the three winners received £100 in National Book Tokens and a £150 Love2Shop giftcard. An additional £250 of National Book Tokens was awarded to each of the winners’ chosen schools – St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Burnham-on-Sea, Court Fields School in Wellington, and Huish Academy in Langport.

All three winning stories can be read at www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk/resources/storycomp