Help us create a Hospice mascot!

Calling all young imaginations! Are you a budding young artist? Or do you know one?

At NI Hospice, kindness, care and support are at the heart of everything we do. Now, we’re looking for a very special character to help bring those values to life – and we need the help of young local artists to create it!

We’re inviting children aged 16 and under to design an official NI Hospice mascot. This friendly character could be anything you can dream up: a cuddly animal, a magical creature, a superhero, or something completely unique. There are no limits to your imagination – the only rule is that your design must be hand-drawn (no AI-generated images).

We’d love to hear the story behind your creation too. What is your mascot called? What makes them kind, caring and helpful? How do they spread smiles and support to others?

One talented young designer will see their artwork transformed into a real, life-sized NI Hospice mascot, helping to bring joy to patients, families, supporters and local communities. Imagine seeing your character come to life and become part of the Hospice family!

How to Enter

All drawings should be designed on an A4 sheet of paper. Please include the following information with your entry:

• Parent or guardian’s name
• Contact email address and/or telephone number
• Child’s first name and age

You can submit your design in one of two ways:

By post to: Mascot Design Competition c/o Marketing, NI Hospice, 74 Somerton Road, Belfast BT15 3LH

By email: Scan your mascot design and send it to events@nihospice.org

The closing date for entries is 31 October 2026. By entering, you give permission for NI Hospice to share and use the design in Hospice communications, including social media and publications. Please see below for full Terms and Conditions.

We can’t wait to see the wonderful characters you create. Good luck, and happy drawing!

There are a few simple rules to keep things fair and fun for everyone.

Key Rules (Please read with a grown-up)

• This competition is for children aged 16 and under (a parent or guardian needs to help submit your entry).
• Your design must be your own hand-drawn picture – no computer or AI images.
• Make sure your entry arrives by 31 October 2026 – we can’t accept any after this date.
• You can send one entry each (unless we say otherwise).
• A panel will choose the winner, and their decision is final.
• The winning design will be turned into a real Hospice mascot – there’s no cash prize instead.
• By entering, you’re giving us permission to share your design (for example on social media or in our publications).
• With permission, we may also share your first name and age.
• By entering, you’re agreeing to the full Terms & Conditions on our website.

Terms & Conditions

We want this to be a fun and positive experience for every child taking part, so we’ve kept these terms simple and fair for everyone.

1. Eligibility

• Open to children aged 16 and under on the closing date of 31^st October.
• Entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian with contact details.

2. How to Enter

• Follow the instructions on the entry sheet.
• Designs must be original, hand-drawn artwork (no digital or AI-generated images).
• One entry per child unless otherwise stated.

3. Closing Date

• Entries must be received by 31 October 2026.
• Entries must be the original work of the entrant – AI generated images will NOT be accepted.
• Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.

4. Judging

• Entries will be judged by a Hospice panel.
• The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence/ discussion regarding the outcome will be entered into.

5. Prize

• The winning design will be developed into an official Hospice mascot.
• No cash alternative or transfer of the prize will be offered.

6. Use of Entries

• By entering, you give permission for the Hospice to use, share and adapt the design for promotional purposes.
• By entering the competition, the entrant and their parent/guardian assign all copyright and intellectual property rights in the submitted artwork to the Hospice.

7. Publicity

• With parent/guardian consent, we may feature entries (including the child’s first name and age) in our communications.
• The winner may be invited to take part in publicity.

8. Data & Safeguarding

• Personal information will only be used to administer the competition and handled in line with our privacy policy.
• All use of children’s information and images will follow safeguarding best practice.

9. General

• The Hospice may amend or withdraw the competition if necessary.
• The Hospice is not responsible for lost or delayed entries.
• Entry confirms acceptance of these terms.