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Youngsters across Reading and Wokingham took part in a craft competition which helped challenge the stigma of living with a stoma and colostomy bag.

The Colostomy Association charity recently launched the Pouch Craft competition which encourages children to draw on and decorate unused stoma bags.

The idea behind the craft competition is to introduce stomas to children in a friendly and fun way to help challenge the stigma around the condition.

Dozens of entries were received from pre-schools in Reading and Wokingham as well as Coffee & Craft – an after school craft club in East Reading.

The winning entry for Pouch Craft was from Araliya Devi Sunthareswaran from East Reading.

Her entry was a collage of the day passing from morning to night and she received a table-top arts and craft kit as a prize.

There were also two special awards given to Dylan and Bella from Willow Bank Pre-School in Earley for their entries.

Araliya’s mother, Ishanie Mendis, said: "We were delighted to participate in the Colostomy Association's campaign.

"Our daughter, Araliya, is thrilled that her design was chosen from many submissions.

"Araliya very much enjoys arts and crafts and helping others.

"She is so happy to know that she has made an important contribution to the Association's work in improving the quality of life of people."

It is estimated that over 600 people in the Reading and Wokingham area are currently living with a stoma.

In the UK, two children are born each day with bowel and bladder dysfunctions that will result in a stoma.

To help support families of children with a stoma, the Colostomy Association launched the Junior Ostomy Support Helpline (JOSH) earlier this year.

Affected families are able to call the helpline and speak to trained parents who have been through the same experiences and issues as them.

Jo McKenzie from the Colostomy Association, who helped run the Pouch Craft competition, said: “Despite improvements in public perceptions, having a stoma is still an isolating and challenging condition.

"Thousands of children across the UK have to grow up with an ostomy so it is fantastic to see so many children take part in our competition and help fight the poo taboo."

If you or your child is affected by a stoma then call the Colostomy Association helpline anytime on 0800 328 4257.