Epilepsy Action: It's doodle time again!
Monday, 29, Jan 2007 12:00
The nation’s doodlers are being urged to join celebrities like Daniel Craig, Bruce Forsyth, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren by putting pen to paper for the fourth National Doodle Day on February 23.
The event, which grows bigger each year, raises vital funds for Epilepsy Action and The Neurofibromatosis Association. This year’s theme is ‘Doodle Daydreams.’
An online auction will be launched on eBay on National Doodle Day and will run for 10 days, giving people the opportunity to bid for their favourite celebrity doodle.
To celebrate National Doodle Day, people can take part in a competition by sending their doodles to a special Freepost address at just £1 for each entry. Judging will be carried out by actor, author and Doodle Day Patron, Maureen Lipman. Certificates will be awarded in various age categories and all winners will have their work displayed in the Hall of Fame on the National Doodle Day website.
A separate competition open to schools gives pupils and teachers the chance to win top of the range electronic equipment for their school. Businesses, clubs and societies are also being encouraged to hold their own National Doodle Day competitions.
Those who take part will follow in the footsteps of around 800 famous names from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, theatre and sport. Celebrity doodlers include actors Sir Roger Moore, Brenda Blethyn, Joseph Fiennes, and James Nesbitt; TV presenters Fern Britton, Fearne Cotton and Kelly Brooke; ‘How Clean is Your House’ presenters Aggie MacKenzie and Kim Woodburn; comedian Jo Brand; and singer songwriter Phil Collins.
Paul Tranter, Epilepsy Action’s fundraising manager, said: “In the last three years doodling has raised more than £100,000 to help support people with epilepsy and neurofibromatosis. This year’s theme of ‘Doodle Daydreams’ encourages people’s imaginations to run away with them. Just pick up a pen and let your daydreams take over!”
Roberta Tweedy, of The Neurofibromatosis Association, said: “Each year more and more people are taking part in National Doodle Day as it is such a fun way to raise vital funds and increase awareness for two often misunderstood medical conditions.”
More information and lots of ideas for joining in the fun can be found at www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk.
Individual entries should be drawn on an A5 piece of card and include name, age and address on the back. Closing date for entries is Monday 12 March. Each entry must be accompanied by a minimum £1. Cheques should be made payable to National Doodle Day and submitted to National Doodle Day, FREEPOST NDD.
You can also visit http://www.photoboxgallery.com/nationaldoodleday where you can create your very own doodle day products.
Notes to editors:
1. Epilepsy is the UK’s most common serious neurological condition affecting an estimated 456,000 people. Epilepsy Action is a registered charity, which aims to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy. As well as campaigning to improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of the condition, we offer assistance to local people in a number of ways including a national network of branches, regular regional conferences, an Epilepsy Helpline on freephone 0808 800 5050 and website, www.epilepsy.org.uk.
2. The Neurofibromatosis Association (NfA) is the only UK charity dedicated to the provision of the support for those affected, their families and the professionals concerned with their care. Neurofibromatosis affects one in every 2,500 people worldwide and some 25,000 in this country alone. Complications include learning difficulties, behavioural problems, large benign skin tumours, internal spine and brain tumours and also an increased risk of epilepsy. The NfA helps through its national network of local Neurofibromatosis Co-ordinators, by providing up to date and accessible information and by funding research into finding a treatment and ultimately a cure.