13-year-old Klara Hinze wins John Lewis and Waitrose’s toy design competition

Posted on 8th June 2020 By Billy Langsworthy

13 year-old Klara Hinze has been named the winner of John Lewis and Waitrose’s toy design competition and her winning design will be made a reality and go on sale later this Christmas.

Children across the country were invited to create and share their designs for a “super bear” cuddly toy that celebrates frontline health workers.

After receiving 17,621 entries across social media platforms and via email, a panel of expert judges, including children’s illustrator Rob Biddulph and John Lewis toy buyer Rachael Larkman, whittled down the entries to a shortlist of six designs.

Klara Hinze was named the winner for her inspiring blue caped crusader bear, which will go on sale in John Lewis later this year, with 100% of the profits going directly to the NHS.

“All 17,621 entries we received were bursting with creativity and our shortlisted six did an amazing job against fierce competition,” said Rachael Larkman, toy buyer at John Lewis.

“But there can only be one winner and our customers have chosen a very worthy design. Klara’s bear is the perfect tribute to the NHS, with its blue cape and mask, and vibrant rainbow colours. It really champions our frontline heroes and we think it’s something our customers will love and get fully behind when it comes on sale later this year.”

Klara added: “I’m incredibly happy to have won this competition and to be able to support the NHS. I hope my bear makes lots of people happy.”

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