What do Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais and Suzanne Shaw all have in common? The answer, National Doodle Day 2008 of course! The nation's doodlers are being encouraged to join these celebrities and put pen to paper and join the fifth National Doodle Day on March 7.
The event, which grows bigger each year, raises vital funds for Epilepsy Action and The Neurofibromatosis Association and with the support of Lloyds Pharmacy and BIC stationary, this year is no exception! Both companies have generously donated large prizes for a number of this year's competitions.
With a theme of "Just doodle it" it appears as though many celebrities have done just that. We have already received over 230 doodles in preparation for this year's event from an array of celebrities from Sir Ian McKellen to Sally Gunel and from Sir Bobby Charlton to Nick Park!
There are many ways in which members of the public can get involved with Doodle Day. They can vote for their favourite celebrity doodle by texting the word ‘DOODLE' followed by the unique ID number found on the National Doodle Day website to 80039, texts cost £1.50 in addition to your normal rate. www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk An online auction will also be launched on eBay on National Doodle Day and will run for 10 days, giving people the opportunity to buy their favourite celebrity doodle.
To celebrate National Doodle Day, people can take part in the competition by picking up individual entry cards at branches of Lloydspharmacy for a £1 donation. Lloydspharmacy is also providing £1000 in cash prizes for the lucky winners of the individual Doodle Day competitions. Judging will be carried out by actress and author Maureen Lipman, the Doodle Day patron, and certificates will be awarded in various age categories. All winners will have their work displayed in the Hall of Fame on the National Doodle Day website.
And there's more! A separate competition gives pupils and teachers the chance to win £500 worth of stationary products for the best primary and secondary schools, with all prizes donated by BIC. Businesses, clubs and societies are also being encouraged to hold their own National Doodle Day competitions.
Lesley Treharne-Martin, key events and charities manager for Lloydspharmacy said: "Lloydspharmacy are delighted to support National Doodle Day in its fifth year. It's a very special event, and it's great to be able to work with these two very worthwhile charities. All our UK pharmacies are taking part, offering all our customers the opportunity to participate in the fun."
Paul Tranter, Epilepsy Action's fundraising manager, said: "We're now on our fifth National Doodle Day, and following the massive success of those held in previous years, we're hoping that lots of people are going to get involved and let their creativity flow."
"In the last four years doodling has raised more than £125,000 to help support people with epilepsy and neurofibromatosis. This year's theme of ‘Just Doodle It' encourages people to let go and allow their ideas to run riot on paper. So pick up your pens and set your imagination free!"
Roberta Tweedy, of The Neurofibromatosis Association, said: "National Doodle Day is such a fun and creative way to raise awareness of Epilepsy Action and The Neurofibromatosis Association. We're hoping the fifth competition will inspire all the artists out there to get doodling and raise money for this worthy cause."
More information, and to see all the celebrities doodles along with lots of ideas for joining in the fun, please got to www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk or call 0113 210 8800.
Doodle cards can be obtained from Lloydspharmacy. Closing date for entries is March 31 2008. You can also visit http://www.photoboxgallery.com/nationaldoodleday where you can create your very own doodle day products.