SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: When I Grow Up writing competition

WAR Horse author Michael Morpurgo will be selecting the winners of a creative writing competition being run by a South Somerset charity set-up in memory of a talented 13-year-old schoolgirl.

The competition being organised by the Jemima Layzell Trust is open to all children in three categories – ages 6-9, 10-14 and 15-18.

Jemima was just 13 when she died of a ruptured giant aneurism four days after collapsing at home near Ilminster.

After her death her parents discovered 20 notebooks and diaries, the most recent being entitled The Draft, in her bedside cupboard written by Jemima.

They were so impressed with Jemima’s writing that they have had the diaries turned into a book called The Draft and published by Amazon – with endorsements from best-selling children’s authors Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo.

It was only natural that the Jemima Layzell Trust – which is raising funds to support young people living with brain injury or trauma – should hold a writing competition for children to mirror Jemima’s passion.

PHOTO - TOP: Jemima Layzell.

PHOTO - RIGHT: War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

Two winners will be selected by acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo who was Jemima’s literary hero and is the patron of the Trust.

Children can write prose, poetry or a play – as long as it fits on one side of A4 paper – with the title When I Grow Up.

Entry forms should be available from schools, local bookshops or libraries. Alternatively visit www.jemimalayzell.com for prizes and more details.

Entries need to be in between June 1 and August 1, 2015, and sent to the Yellow House, Pound Road, Horton, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 9QU or email whenigrowup@icloud.com .

Any entries sent before or after the dates above will not be included.

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Schools and Colleges.