BIG BROTHER STAR TO JOIN CHILDREN IN CHARITY CHAT
By Rosamond Hutt, Community Newswire
EDUCATION Chatter London
A charity that helps children develop communication skills was today hosting a "chat-along" in South London with Big Brother runner-up Eugene Sully as part of its annual fundraising week involving thousands of youngsters across the UK.
The electrical engineer, from Crawley, whose nerdy chatter earnt him second place in series six of the reality television show was attending the event at an Early Years Centre in Mulgrave today.
The sponsored challenge, which is taking place from February 6 to 12, encourages thousands of children to perform a song, rhyme, story, or poem at their playgroup or nursery in aid of charity I Can which provides therapy and education for youngsters with communication disabilities.
The Chatterbox Challenge aims to promote learning and social development through singing and talking.
Now in its fourth year, the event has raised over £350,000 for the one in ten children in the UK with a communication disability.
Virginia Beardshaw, CEO of I Can, said: "Communication is a fundamental skill for life - it is the springboard to learning, literacy and social development and the early years are a critical time for developing communication.
"Chatterbox Challenge is not only great fun, it's educational too as learning songs and nursery rhymes, such as 'Row, Row, Row, Your Boat', is a great way of helping pre-school children develop their communication skills through interaction, rhyme and rhythm.
"What's more, Chatterbox Challenge provides I Can with much-needed funds for our vital work supporting children who struggle to communicate."
This year's challenge is sponsored by makers of educational playthings LeapFrog Toys, with £1 from the sale of all LeapFrog products bought from Early Learning Centre stores donated to I CAN.
The challenge is themed around the sea, with young participants encouraged to perform maritime songs and poems.
I CAN uses a combination of specialist therapy and education to help children with the most severe and complex disabilities as well as providing information for parents and training for teachers and other professionals.
To find out more about the charity visit
http://www.ican.org.uk
CNP