Junior artist, Jessica Hendicott, aged nine, from Blisland CP School has been named as the  Cornish winner of Marie Curie Cancer Care's 'Paint Your Mini Pot' competition.

The Cornish pupil was selected for her creative daffodil pot design, as part of the Mini Pots of Care fundraising activity for schools and groups where children aged 3-11 get their hands dirty by growing daffodils to raise funds to provide more Marie Curie nursing care.

Jessica was awarded an 'Art & Go' painting kit prize and her school was presented with £50 in book vouchers, donated by Yellow Pages, who in addition gave a matched donation of £50 to the charity. Jessica also received a cuddly 'Fetch' the dog mascot, donated by City Link.

Last autumn, children planted a daffodil bulb in their own mini pot which they nurtured throughout the winter to reflect the care that Marie Curie

nurses provide to terminally ill patients. In spring when the flowers bloom the children paint their pots for the charity's national 'Paint Your Mini Pot' day before taking their pots home to someone they care about, in return for a small donation to the charity.

The most creative pot designs were then put forward by schools and groups to enter a regional competition which was judged by a Marie Curie Cancer Care fundraiser.

Lynda Thomas, Community Fundraiser, said: "The children had a great time painting their mini pots. By taking part in this fun activity, schools, nurseries, Brownie and Rainbow groups have been learning about the fantastic work of the Marie Curie Nurses."

The initiative is supported by Homebase, who donate to the cost of planting materials for the Mini Pots of Care kits, and premium express delivery company City Link, who coordinate the distribution and delivery of the kits to schools and groups free of charge.

The fundraising activity kicks off again this autumn and Marie Curie Cancer Care is inviting schools and groups across the South West to sign up now for their free planting kit. Detailed lesson plans supporting Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curricu­lum, as well as activity resources for youth groups, are available to download from the website.

Register by August 31 and receive your free planting kit before the end of September. For further information, please visit http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/minipotsofcare">www.mariecurie.org.uk/minipotsofcare or call 08700 340 040 to register. Registrations for 2009/10 close on October 2, 2009.