Apr 21, 2009

Ireland has traditionally been recognised world wide as a warm, friendly and community focused country.  However a recent Londis survey revealed that 73% of Irish people believe that over the last 5 years Ireland has lost some of its vibrant sense of community for which it has traditionally been renowned.   

In response to these results, Londis want to reinvigorate communities in Ireland by celebrating them through the eyes and words of Ireland’s younger generation. “Write up my Street” is a new initiative which asks young people across Ireland to submit short stories on the theme of “There’s no community like my community”, depicting what they love about their communities and what makes the villages, towns and cities in which they live so unique.

Ruth Norton, Londis Marketing Manager explained “We are delighted to launch the “Write up my Street” initiative to young people across Ireland. Londis shops are at the heart of communities throughout Ireland, and as such, Londis want our younger generation to rediscover the importance and value of community; the value of shared goals, connectedness and support.  We look forward to reading these stories and publishing the best of these in our community themed story book in aid of Barnardos”.

Winning entries from each county in Ireland will be chosen by bestselling author Sarah Webb for inclusion in a specially commissioned book to be sold in Londis stores across Ireland, with proceeds going to Barnardos children’s charity. In addition one overall primary school winner will receive a €5,000 library voucher for their school and a visit from Sarah Webb! Other prizes for older age categories include Sony Net Books and holiday vouchers will reward primary school teachers who mentored any of the final published authors!.

Speaking at the launch Barnardos Chief Executive Fergus Finlay said “Barnardos are delighted to be working with Londis to celebrate local communities and give children the chance to see their words in print. The “Write up my Street” initiative celebrates two areas that are at the very centre of Barnardos work – community and education. We work in over 43 community based centres around the country. We see the challenges faced in those communities daily but we also see the strengths and resilience that allows those communities to overcome the obstacles they face. A lot of our work is about preparing for, and keeping children in, education so we are delighted to be part of an initiative that makes writing fun and encourages children to tell their stories!”

Write up my street is open to all young people aged between 5 and 18 years of age. Entries must be no more than 1,000 words in length and reflect the theme “There’s no community like my community”.  Stories can be uploaded directly onto the website or can be posted in participating Londis stores in our special “Write up my Street” post boxes.  Entries will be accepted from 20th April until Friday 29th May.  The proceeds of the book will help thousands of children to make the most of their education by attending Barnardos After School programmes in communities across the country.

Pictured on Right Hand Side, Joe O'Flynn, owner of Londis Gardiner St, Dublin 1 and children from Barnardos School at the launch of Londis' "Write Up My Street" initiative.

For further press information or to arrange an interview please contact Darragh Rea in Murray Consultants on 086 8981062 or 01 4980300 or email darragh.rea@murrayconsult.ie