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Saturday’s Star Mollie King surprised Seven Stories with their National Lottery Award

7th August 2013

Mollie King, from The Saturdays, today broke the fantastic news to children and staff at Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books, that they have been named the UK’s favourite education project.

Mollie made a surprise visit to Newcastle to congratulate all involved in the project on winning a National Lottery Award.

The singer, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and experienced difficulties with reading, joined in the fun at the Centre’s Summer Storytelling picnic.

She said: “It is amazing to see firsthand the fantastic work carried out at Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books.

“Reading and immersing yourself in the excitement and imaginative plots of children’s books can be a real inspiration.

“But I know from my own experience that not all children or adults are in a position to experience this pleasure.

“Seven Stories is a brilliant success story and I am delighted they have been recognised as the nation’s favourite education project in the National Lottery Awards. National Lottery players should be proud that their money is supporting children like this.”

Kate Edwards, Seven Stories’ chief executive said: “This is fantastic news. We are very grateful to everyone who voted for us – to know we are so valued by friends, visitors and supporters from the Northeast and across the UK is thrilling. Seven Stories began with the big idea that Britain needs a place to save, celebrate and share our amazing literary heritage for children. Eight years on, more than a million children and grownups have visited us and made our exhibitions, events and learning programmes such a success.

“As well as being great for Seven Stories, this prize reminds us that books are special and important for children because they have the power to open worlds of imagination in every home. This award will help us to share the magic of children’s books with many more children and families. Thank you.”
Alison Gwynn, Programme Director at Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books, added: “It was a great surprise to have Mollie King join us and a fantastic occasion.

“Our aim is to inspire a love of reading across generations. We encourage everyone taking part to realise their learning and creative potential. National Lottery funding has helped us so much and receiving this award is superb recognition for the hard work of the entire team and, of course, everyone who enjoys our programmes.”

Notes to editors

About the project:

Seven Stories is the National Centre for Children’s Books. Their mission is to champion children’s books as an essential part of childhood, our national heritage and our culture. They want to inspire a love of reading across generations.

Seven Stories is the only place in the UK dedicated to the art of children’s books, and one of just a few such places in the world. They welcome more than 70,000 visitors a year and there is something to enjoy 360 days a year. Everything they do inspires children and grownups to choose, share, read and enjoy the best children’s literature. They attract some of the biggest names in children’s literature to work with them to stage exhibitions and to take part in events.

Seven Stories has received £660,000 in National Lottery funding from Arts Council England and £352,249 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

About the Awards:

There are seven categories in the National Lottery Awards, reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding: arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary/charity.

Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books, beat off six other challengers in a public vote to win the best education project. They will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project as well as a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy. They will also feature at a star-studded awards ceremony hosted by John Barrowman and broadcast on BBC One in September.

Ends

For further information please contact The National Lottery Awards:

Ruairi O’Kane on 07788 612804 or email ruairi.o’kane@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk