THE MP for Aberconwy, Robin Millar, has launched his ‘Christmas Challenge 2021’, inviting all of his constituents to write their own short Christmas story.

Last year, Mr Millar asked schoolchildren to design a Christmas card based on the Christian message of hope, and received some fantastic entries.

This year, he is offering all constituents in Aberconwy, whatever their age, an opportunity to join in the ‘Christmas Challenge’.

The brief is to write a short story that is suitable to be used in a Christmas card, with the winning entry to go to businesses and individuals across the constituency, as well as having a copy personally delivered to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Mr Millar said: “The Christian message at Christmas, of peace on earth and of goodwill, brings hope for millions of people around the world.

“It also allows us to give thanks for the birth of Jesus; our Christmas ‘gift’.

“All of us have encountered people in our lives to whom we owe thanks.

“Whether it be the neighbour that did our shopping during the pandemic, the nurse that stitched your finger in the Minor Injuries Unit, or the friend that passed you tissues when you needed to cry with someone.

“I would like to read those stories – so tell me, in less than 250 words, about the person you would like to give thanks to and why.

“If you wish to provide an illustration, you may. Otherwise, the winning entries will be matched with an illustration or photograph and used for this year’s Christmas card.”

The competition will be divided into three groups – under-11s, 11-18-year-olds, and over-18s.

To enter, you must be a resident in the Aberconwy constituency, while stories can be typed or handwritten but must not exceed 250 words and can be in English or Welsh.

The illustration can be a drawing, an original photograph or an artistic collage in any medium.

The closing date will be Friday, November 26 at 5pm, and the winners of each group will be informed on November 29.

All of the entries will be collated into a gallery which will be available to view through Mr Millar’s website from Christmas to Easter 2022.

The stories can be submitted by email to: Robin.millar.mp@parliament.uk or by post to the constituency office at Brunswick House, Riverside Business Park, Conwy, LL32 8UB.