The Cambridge Building Society marked its 175th anniversary with a chocolate coin design competition, which was won by nine-year-old Erica from Exning Primary School.
Her design, showing The Cambridge’s logo lifted by birthday balloons above houses, will be made into a commemorative chocolate coin.
Erica said: “I’m very happy I won and am excited to see my design in chocolate form.
“I can’t wait to discover what my school is going to use the prize money for!”
She will receive £175 in a savings account with The Cambridge and her school has been awarded £1,000 to support numeracy.
Pupils at Exning Primary will also get a visit from The Royal Mint Museum in the next academic year.
Hundreds of children entered the competition, with designs including piggy banks, birthday cakes, local landmarks and famous faces.
The competition asked children to design a coin reflecting The Cambridge’s values of helping people have a home, save, and support the community.
Peter Burrows, CEO at The Cambridge, said: “We were amazed by the creativity and thought behind the hundreds of entries we received to the competition – thank you to everyone who submitted an entry.
“We wanted to do something special for our 175th birthday, and Erica’s design really stood out with its storytelling of how The Cambridge lifts people and the community up.
“We can’t wait to see Erica’s design in chocolate form and for our members to eat it!”
During the competition, members of The Cambridge team visited schools across the region to talk about the history of the building society movement, which is also marking its 250th anniversary, and the importance of saving.
Emma Hardy, co-headteacher at Exning Primary School, said: “It was a pleasure for our children to be part of this competition.
“The Cambridge visited the school for a workshop and the children gained a real insight into saving money and becoming more financially independent and aware as they grow up.
“The children were all inspired to take part in the competition, and we are all so pleased that Erica has won.”
Hardy added: “We’re also very grateful to The Cambridge for the donation towards a maths project and we look forward to our visit from The Royal Mint.”
Shortlisted finalists from the competition will each receive a commemorative coin from The Royal Mint.
Lee Jones, product design lead at The Royal Mint and competition judge, said: “Congratulations to Erica – there is a narrative to her design that is both positive and instant, with the houses echoing the styling of The Cambridge Building Society’s logo which is good for design cohesion.”
