Charlotte's Big Day Out To Gordon Brown's Christmas Party
9-year-old Charlotte Coleman's design for a Christmas card impressed Gordon
Brown so much that it won her and 6 of her friends from the SHINE Academy at
Hungerford school a trip to Downing Street for a special Christmas Party on 8
December.
Charlotte's Christmas card design has been printed up and sent around the
world to heads of state such as George Bush and Jacques Chirac, along with key
figures such as Nelson Mandela.
This Children's Christmas Party, hosted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at
Downing Street, was organised by SHINE (Support and Help in Education). SHINE
is a UK charity supporting educational initiatives which encourage children
and young people to achieve their potential. Gordon's wife Sarah Brown is a
Patron of SHINE.
Poor Charlotte had managed to break her leg the day before the party, but was
determined not to miss out.
Names of the 7 children attending from SHINE @ Hungerford:
Charlotte Coleman - age 9
Meezan Khan - 9
Ruby Baker - 9
Lillie Best - 8
Abdirashid Ahmed - 8
Rory McCarthy-Tyler - 8
Michaela Leader Way - 8
Adults attending:
Margaret Mathison - Project
Manager, SHINE @ Hungerford
Anna Trollope - Tutor, SHINE @ Hungerford
Sharon Westley + Mick Coleman - parents of Charlotte Coleman
Altogether there were around 50 children plus teachers from 6 London primary
schools supported by SHINE, as well as SHINE staff, trustees and supporters of
the charity.
The theme for the party was The Three Kings, Magical Middle Eastern
Christmas. The rooms were dressed to reflect the middle eastern
theme, the children chose a gold or silver sash to wear from a big dressing up
chest; and trustees were dressed as the Three Kings, wearing richly decorated
robes and turbans.
The children were treated to a puppet show telling the story of Aladdin and
this was followed by a craft extravaganza with the children decorating gold
crowns to wear and treasure chests to take away. A face decorater was on hand
to make them look even more regal, and a roaming magician carried out magic
tricks during the tea party. Finally the children assembled with a storyteller
on hand to end the party.
As the children left No. 11, The Kings stood by the large Christmas tree in
the reception lobby to hand out party bags to each child and there was a gift
for each of the schools taking part.
"This was a wonderful opportunity for children and staff of SHINE @ Hungerford
to share a unique experience. There was much anticipation of the event and
great excitement on the day. We were very warmly received by Gordon Brown who
chatted easily with several of our children." He also presented Charlotte, who
was on crutches having broken her leg only the previous day, with a copy of
the Christmas card which she had designed and which had a personal message
inside and signed using first names.
"The girls loved putting 'diamonds', glitter and stickers into their treasure
boxes but Rory and Meezan summed it up for everyone: "It was wicked! All of
it!"
Maggie Mathison, Project Manager of SHINE @ Hungerford said:
"It was a great opportunity for Hungerford staff to meet and speak to SHINE
Trustees - we were able to personally reinforce the wonderful experiences our
children have on Saturdays because of the funding we receive from SHINE."
Notes to editors
For more information please
contact: SHINE mobile number: 07849 642016 or 07752 421530
Photos:
CharlotteNo10.jpg -
Charlotte (broken leg!), together with her parents, teachers and friends from
Hungerford SHINE academy outside Number 10 Downing
For more information, please contact CEA@Islington's Communications Department: