We're absolutely thrilled to let you know that July, who works with our Family Support Services team, has won a prestigious art prize. 

Eleven year old July, is autistic and works with Hannah and Amelia from the Aspens team. July absolutely adores trains and during lockdown was missing her favourite hobby of riding on them.

So she decided to create a Gatwick Express train of her own, using cardboard boxes and lots of creativity!

July spent three days creating the artwork and named it 'Phew We Can Still Get Trains in Lockdown'. 

July's brilliant piece of art beat more than 17,700 other entries to claim the President's Prize in the Young Artists' Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts.

July said: "Art’s so good, it makes me be able to have the thing I really want. The details I painted on the train make it seem real, so I can believe in it. I'm so happy, my train feels more real than the lockdown now."

July's Gatwick Express replica even included details such as the correct number of bonnet panels and a ramp.  

Well done July, your prize is truly deserved and we wish you huge congratulations on this amazing achievement! 

July's story is featured in The Worthing Herald.