On 18th September 2006, children from all over the country were
encouraged to pick up their pens, unlock their creativity and get
rhyming - and all to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Pound a Poem is
a brand new idea combining learning and creativity with a fundraising
initiative. It has invited children to learn avout healthy eating while
simultaneously raising money for Cancer Research UK. Kids aged between
seven and eleven years old have been asked to write a poem about a fruit
or vegetable and then pay a pound to entre it into the competition, with
all money raised going towards research into children's cancers. No
sooner was it launched, then the scheme atracted masses of media
interest and, as it picked up pace, high-profile celebrities and
politicians began to get involved with ndorsements, with some even
turning their hand to becoming poets themselves. Amongst some of the
celebrities to have given their support to Pound a Poem are Maureen
Lipman, Jacqueline Wilson, Eastenders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, and
children's TV presenters Dick and Dom. Pound a Poem has also inspired
praise from both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Tory leader David
Cameron. This gem of a book contains all the competition finalists'
poems and showcases the most imaginative and creative thoughts from
children in the UK. In addtiton, our celebrity supporters have also
taken time out of their busy schedules to come up with some wonderful
and diverse poetry. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will make
you pause for thought, but all of them will bring a smile to your face.
