BUDDING young artists are being challenged to design a picture to help raise awareness of fostering.

The ‘Fostering is ... ' art competition is open to all school children in the borough.

There is no typical adopter or foster carer, and the poster should help promote the message that everyone is welcome to apply, regardless of age, ethnicity or marital status.

As well as having their work used in publicity on the Hillingdon Council website and social media, competition winners will receive £50 (first place), £25 (second place) or £15 (third place) in gift vouchers.

There are three categories for entries, infant (up to school year 2), junior (years 3-6) and secondary (years 7-11).

Designs must be created by hand, in colour on one side of A4 (template is available). Your name, age and school must be written on the back of the design.

The competition will run until Friday, June 27. Completed designs can be handed in at the Civic Centre or posted to Fostering Design Competition, Fostering Team, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.

Hillingdon is running a series of events to mark Foster Care Fortnight (May 12-25) and dispel common myths around fostering and the type of people that can become a foster carer.

The borough offers 24-hour support, specialist training and a generous allowance of £334-600 per week.

For more information visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering