Shelby's moving letter

Children were asked to write to their 1st Class Hero and entries from across the region show that admiration for relatives is as strong as for sporting heroes and pop stars.

Shelby Walker, aged 10, wrote a touching letter about her Granny, June McElwee which impressed judges with its sincerity and imagination using creative skills to tell the reader why her granny was her hero. Shelby says in her letter “My granny taught me to treat others with respect. When she died it was a very sad time as she was my hero and I was very close to her. When I grow up I want to be just like my granny.”

Shelby said: “She is very important to me but sadly she died about two months ago. She had blond hair and brown eyes. She never failed to make me laugh, my granny was always smiling even when she was really sick. She was a very kind and caring person. My granny always had time to talk to me if something was worrying me.”

Shelby is one of just ten children short-listed in this age category and will receive a First Day Cover of the Royal Society stamps issued today together with a presentation pack of 1st Class stamps to encourage more letter-writing.

There are three categories in the competition for ages 7-9, 10-11, and a Special Achievement award, for children who overcome particular difficulties to enter.

Winners in each category will be announced on 11 March 2010. Winners will each receive a set of Smilers stamps and a 50 book token, plus a 75-box of letter writing goodies to share with their classmates. The three runners up in each category each win a 10 book token.

Local author and professional storyteller, Liz Weir, a member of the judging panel, said: “In this fast-paced world of texts, tweeting and e-mail it is heartening to see that young people have not lost the art of letter writing. Some of the entries in the competition moved me to laughter and tears and I was very impressed by the quality of the letter writing."

The competition encouraged children to write a letter with a purpose to their hero or heroine, demonstrating imagination and creativity within a basic letter format. The competition was designed as a class activity to fit with the school curriculum, to motivate children of all ages and abilities.

Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust who helped launch the competition before Christmas said: “Today the overall trend is towards more written communication, from letter writing to social networking, emails and even text messaging. It is important that children are able to select the right medium, tone and language for the audience and occasion.”