Press Release
Suffolk girl wins UK competition
1 June 2005
Gina Peacher, from Rendlesham in Suffolk, is the overall winner a UK-wide competition to describe what family life means.
The competition for the 30,000 families and 60,000 children supported each year by Home-Start was launched in late 2004 to celebrate the International Year of the Family. The winners were announced at the charity's national convention in April this year.
Gina's rap-style entry won over judges from sponsors Next, and organisers Home-Start, and helped her beat off competition from twelve other national finalists across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The fifteen year old took just 20 minutes to write the rap describing family life. She has won £100 for herself and £100 for the Home-Start Suffolk Coastal scheme.
"The competition was a great opportunity for our families and volunteers to put down what they think about family life, " says Home-Start Suffolk Coastal Scheme Organiser Caroline Hawksley. "but it is also has a more serious side as it allows us to raise awareness of the pressures on family life today.
"Home-Start's goal is to make sure that every family - wherever they are - has the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. And to achieve that we need the support of local and national Government and the local community."
Home-Start Suffolk Coastal is one of 337 Home-Start Schemes. Since
Home-Start began 32 years ago volunteers, who are parents themselves,
have helped more than 250,000 families and 500,000 children in the UK
and with British Forces in Germany and Cyprus. Home-Start International
was established five years ago and now has volunteers supporting
families in countries as diverse as Australia, Russia and Uganda.
ENDS
Further information from Home-Start press office
