Schoolchildren have the chance to celebrate their healthcare heroes in a new competition launched today.

Pupils are asked to design bunting which features an NHS professional or a setting that has made the biggest difference to their lives.

The contest is part of Healthwatch Essex’s Lively Lives! campaign, which is designed to empower young people to live active, healthy lifestyles.

The aim of this contest is to highlight the importance of the people within the NHS who help up stay well.

The competition coincides with the 70th birthday of the NHS and the winner stands to win £500 worth of activity equipment for their school or club, as well as a chance for their design to feature on the front of Healthwatch Essex’s official birthday promotions.

All of the bunting entries will be put on display at hospitals or health settings in Essex from July 5 so patients and their families can see the wealth of different experiences that young people have as they engage with care professionals.

Dr David Sollis, chief executive of Healthwatch Essex, said: “People working across the county in health and social care environments make a huge difference to children from all walks of life and, as the National Health Service approaches its 70th birthday, we are hoping to capture some amazing stories of children’s lived experience of those services.

“Our engagement activity with children in Essex has shown that many don’t do the recommended amount of exercise. Inactivity is a major cause of lifestyle-related illnesses and, given that we know active children are more likely to become active adults, introducing children to healthy lifestyles early in their lives is important - both for them as individuals and also to ensure that NHS services are not over-burdened by preventative illnesses in the future.

“As part of this initiative, we hope that teachers and group leaders will take up the opportunity to use our resources to highlight the vast array of career opportunities within the NHS, how to use NHS services wisely and the importance of healthy living.”

Teachers and group leaders in Essex can sign children up for the competition by emailing daniel.potts@healthwatchessex.org.uk or visiting www.livelylives.org.uk