ART workshops are being held in seven North Shropshire schools for a project to mark the centenary of the Save the Children charity, founded by two Ellesmere sisters.

Through earlier presentations, more than 600 children had already learnt how Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy Buxton, launched the aid movement in 1919 to help thousands of children left starving in Central Europe at the end of the First World War -- the result of a blockade by Allied countries that stopped food supplies reaching cities such as Berlin and Vienna.

Now, through drawing, writing and story sessions, children are being encouraged to imagine what it is like to be a refugee, and to find out how Save the Children is providing emergency aid to youngsters in war-torn countries such as Syria and Yemen.

The schools involved are Criftins and Cockshutt C of E, Ellesmere primary, Whittingon and Welshampton C of E, Ellesmere College and Lakelands Academy.

Each school is also being given a book about Eglantyne, by local author Dorothy Nicolle, together with suggestions for other reading material relating to displaced children.

Volunteers from the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative are running the art workshops as part of a project to commemorate the charity’s centenary and raise awareness of Eglantyne Jebb, who became its driving force when her sister, Dorothy, who was married to a Liberal MP, decided to focus on political campaigning.

The sculpture group’s project is supported by a £21,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. To mark the centenary, artists are being invited to submit ideas for a showpiece memorial sculpture in Ellesmere’s Cremorne Gardens, alongside the mere. It’s hoped that ideas put forward from the school workshops will provide inspiration for the sculptor chosen to carry out the work.

A recent snapshot survey carried out by the group has confirmed that many people locally are unaware of Eglantyne’s achievements and her connection with Ellesmere.

Survey co-ordinator Lynn Bartley said: “When we asked the question in six local schools, it was clear that while most pupils in the 8-10 age range had heard of Save the Children, fewer than 15 per cent knew about Eglantyne Jebb and that she came from Ellesmere. There was greater awareness among secondary schoolchildren and adults.

"But when we questioned people in Ellesmere town centre, less than sixty per cent knew what Eglantyne was famous for and only just over half knew where she had lived. Hopefully, the various activities taking place through this project and other centenary events will raise awareness and make people better informed.”