An overwhelming response to a Denbighshire Leisure Ltd Active Communities ‘Battle of the Schools’ has seen the finalists both awarded with the first place prize for their community spirit.

Following a successful social media competition last Summer during the first lockdown, The company’s Active Communities teams invited schools to take part in a poll on social media, with the school with the most votes becoming the winner of £100 worth of sports equipment.

Excitement has been building online this week for the final round, with unrelenting support for both schools seeing votes hit 50/50 on the last day of voting, today (Wednesday, 24th February). An announcement has been made to end the competition early to avoid any disappointment and make both schools joint winners.

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd Managing Director, Jamie Groves, explained that after seeing the incredible response and community spirit that came from this competition, he wanted to give both schools the prize and also give the students something to look forward to after lockdown, with free sessions to Ninja TAG for the entire schools.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “This challenge has been a great way for the schools to have some friendly competition online during the most recent Lockdown. It has been quite competitive and it’s great to see so many people voting for their schools, friends and family, the support has been so strong for the two schools in the final that I felt it was only right to award them both with the prize. We are so thrilled with the engagement from the two finalists that we have decided to give both schools in the final free school trips to Ninja TAG in Rhyl once Lockdown restrictions ease. We’re living in difficult times and I hope that this gesture gives the students something to look forward to and also thanks both schools for their support in this competition.”

Over 45,000 interactions have been made on Twitter since the launch of the competition, with 2,000 votes made and schools sharing their voting links with friends and family to reach as many people as possible.

Three rounds took place on Twitter, with competitors inviting friends and family to share the poll and ‘like’ the school of their choice, giving them the chance to win the sports equipment.

Jamie added: “I would like to thank all the schools who have been involved with this competition. It’s fantastic to see all the schools coming together and supporting each other to win this prize. It’s this positive attitude and community spirit that gave us the idea to give these fantastic prizes to both finalists.”

Note to Editors: For more information, including quotes from Twitter or details of further competitions, please contact Angie Platt, Head of Marketing, Brand and PR at angie.platt@denbighshireleisure.co.uk.