A young football fan’s creative vision for a shirt design has become a reality after winning a competition organised by Signature at Hendon Hall, a local care home.
Eight-year-old Kyan Popat’s winning design, featuring a purple shirt with a striking gold lightning bolt on the front, was brought to life by the care home to celebrate his victory.
In anticipation of the England Lionesses’ quest for World Cup glory this summer, Signature at Hendon Hall launched a competition that encouraged residents and the local community to submit their football shirt designs. Kyan’s eye-catching creation, which matched the company’s colour concept, stood out among the submissions.
To honour Kyan’s achievement, he and his classmates from Orion Primary School were invited to the care home for a special presentation. The framed shirt will now be prominently displayed in the home’s Bar 66, serving as a symbol of Kyan’s triumph and the care home’s connection to the beautiful game.
Signature at Hendon Hall has a proud history with football, having hosted the 1966 England World Cup-winning team, who stayed at the care home throughout the tournament. In line with this legacy and to celebrate Kyan’s design victory, residents at the care home were treated to an awards ceremony and various activities, including football in the garden and mini-golf in the care home’s Othello Hall.
Expressing his delight, Kyan Popat said, “I am so happy that I designed a football top and Signature created it into an actual jersey! I like it so much and feel incredible right now.”
David Speller, Maintenance Manager at Signature at Hendon Hall, expressed his pleasure at welcoming Kyan and his classmates to the home, stating, “It was a pleasure to see Kyan’s shirt take shape. It will go down as a classic!”
The interaction between the care home’s residents and the younger members of the community was a rewarding experience for all involved. These visits fostered meaningful connections and mutual benefits between the generations. The residents at Signature at Hendon Hall will be fervently cheering on the Lionesses, with fans of all ages united in their support.
Rachel Shear, Co-Head at Orion Primary School, highlighted the significance of the event, saying, “This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to support their winning classmate and engage with the residents.
”At The Orion, we say our pupils are Kindness Kids, and this was a chance to demonstrate kindness within the local community.”
