They were all the rage at the Sochi Winter Olympics, and now local youth have the opportunity to design their very own helmet.
However, instead of a ski, snowboard or sled head protector, the designs will be used on bike helmets just in time for spring and summer riding,
Launched by BrainTrust Canada and supported by the TELUS Thompson Okanagan Community Board, the online contest, entitled Decorate My Head, is about the importance of brain injury prevention and is a way for youth to get creative, said Magda Kapp, director of communications for BrainTrust Canada.
“Youth are the highest risk for brain injury,” said Kapp. “Our not-for-profit association has to be innovative with projects that cut through the clutter to reach this age group and spread out message of brain injury prevention. The Decorate My Head contest allows us to work with the art community in the Okanagan as a creative way to get our message across.”
The contest is open to Okanagan youth ages 13 to 17, who can submit a custom design for a bike helmet through BrainTrust Canada’s Facebook page.
Deadline for submissions is May 16.
Once participants submit their designs, they are encouraged to have friends and family vote for their entries up to May 23 (once a day per person is allowed.) The top 40 will each receive a free bike helmet and the top three, selected by a judging panel, will each receive a bike helmet with their own custom design on it, art supplies from OPUS and art classes from the Kelowna Art Gallery. The first prize winner will also receive a private art session with Kelowna artist Alex Fong.
In addition, the top 20 winning helmets from the Vernon area will be displayed at the Vernon Public Art Gallery June 5.
For contest details and to enter visit, www.facebook.com/braintrustcanada.
