93-year-old Ethel Glasgow is crowned Northern Trust Christmas card winner

Cookstown woman and former nurse Ethel Glasgow (93), has proven that Christmas spirit and creativity make the perfect picture as her design is chosen as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Christmas card for 2025.

Mrs Glasgow attends Cookstown Day Centre, which is run by the Northern Trust, and was delighted to participate in the competition. Her hand drawn winter scene with a robin red breast was a firm favourite with the judges.

Before retiring, Mrs Glasgow enjoyed a long career as a nurse having worked in both the City Hospital, Belfast and Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt.

Together with her daughter and granddaughter, Mrs Glasgow travelled to Causeway Hospital where she met with Northern Trust Interim Chief Executive, Suzanne Pullins and Chair of the Northern Trust Board, Anne O’Reilly.

Speaking afterwards, Suzanne Pullins, said: “We are really appreciative that so many of our service users took the time to enter and put so much effort into their creations. We were blown away by the quantity and quality of entries but Ethel’s really stood out for us. Her card was beautiful – and she is clearly a gifted artist.

“We are very proud that Ethel’s drawing will now be made into the Trust’s Christmas card for 2025 and I hope that it brings joy to others.

“Our Day Centres are a real lifeline for those who use them. Through structured and fulfilling daily activities, individuals are supported to maintain their independence and stay connected. They are an important part of our Northern Trust community.”

Anne O’Reilly, said: “We were truly inspired by the creativity of this year’s entries. We know that our service users went to a lot of effort and we had a difficult job selecting just one winner.

“We were charmed by Ethel’s card; she had shown great attention to detail with the intricate and delicate robin and I’m delighted that many others will now get to see the card too.

“Having spoken to Ethel, it’s clear that she really enjoys attending Cookstown Day Centre and that it’s an important part of her routine.”

5th December 2025