Viking Direct, the direct-mail school and office supplies channel of Office Depot: a leading global provider of office products and solutions in the UK and Ireland have today announced that a pupil from Carshalton has been shortlisted in their national ‘Win a Playground’ competition after designing the outdoor space of her dreams which wowed judges with its creativity and flair.

Viking Direct selected Aimee Graham from Carshalton High School after she impressed with an imaginative playground design.

The winner of the competition will see their dream design built before their very eyes in the grounds of their school. Viking Direct has teamed up with Playforce, the UK’s leading provider of high quality school playground equipment, to provide a professionally designed and built space worth up to £25,000. The winning pupil will also receive a laptop worth £300.

Viking Direct encouraged children across the country to create a picture of their ideal outdoor space – from playgrounds and outdoor classrooms to sensory and environmental gardens. Judges whittled it down from 11,000 of entries to a shortlist of 25 and the lucky winner will be chosen later this month.

John O’Keeffe, Commercial Director at Office Depot commented, “With budgets being cut and schools being told to reign in their spending, it has become highly challenging for head teachers to invest any money in revamping their outdoor space. This is a real shame as a well thought-out outdoor space would be an asset to any school and its children.”

“At Viking Direct we recognise the importance of providing young people with valuable and interactive outdoor amenities which stimulate their imaginations. It is because of this we are excited about providing an area that will enable children to learn whilst being in the fresh-air.”