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Sir Simon Hornby Memorial Lecture in aid of the National Literacy Trust takes place to celebrate World Book Day
3 Mar 2011
On the eve of World Book Day (2 March), the National Literacy Trust held a fundraising lecture in memory of the charity’s founder, Sir Simon Hornby.
The Literacy: State of the Nation lecture was given by bestselling author Anthony Horowitz and chaired by National Literacy Trust President Baroness Usha Prashar, CBE. During the lecture it was announced that the National Literacy Trust have received a 100% cut in government funding and in response will run a £1million fundraising campaign to ensure their vital work can continue.
Anthony is a long-standing supporter of the National Literacy Trust and is dedicated to championing the importance of literacy in the UK. He is the author of the phenomenally successful ALEX RIDER books, with the ninth and final ALEX RIDER novel, SCORPIA RISING, to be published by Walker Books on 31 March. He is currently writing the screenplay for the second TINTIN movie, to be directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, and has recently been commissioned by Orion Books and the Conan Doyle literary estate to write a new SHERLOCK HOLMES novel, due for publication in November.
Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede CBE has been an instrumental figure in the development of the National Literacy Trust since its foundation. From 2001 to 2005 the Baroness succeeded Sir Simon Hornby as Chairman of the National Literacy Trust. Following Sir Simon’s death last year, the Baroness became President of the National Literacy Trust in December.
Director of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said:
“Holding this lecture is the ideal way to honour Sir Simon’s memory. His vision inspired us to address the national literacy challenge with innovative approaches, integrity and a deep understanding of how literacy transforms lives. This vision continues to sit at the heart of our work today.
We are very grateful to our new President Baroness Usha Prashar and Anthony Horowitz for taking part in the event. We are also grateful to our corporate supporters, law firm Slaughter and May, who kindly lent us their offices for the lecture venue. We hope to make it an annual celebration and opportunity to shine the spotlight on literacy in the UK.”
Baroness Usha Prashar said:
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Sir Simon during the very first stages of the set-up of the National Literacy Trust. I know that he would be very proud of the work the charity is doing today to promote reading and writing, a need which is more wide than ever before. He was passionate about literacy because he believed that this was a way for people to lead successful and fulfilling lives.”
Ends
An audio file of the lecture will be available. A full transcript of the lecture is available here.
To find out more about the £1million campaign and how you can help please go here.
If you would like a transcript of the lecture, or would like to interview National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas, please contact Anna Lindsay, Public Relations Officer on 020 7820 6256 or email Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk.
All proceeds from the lecture will support the work of the National Literacy Trust.
Notes to Editors
1. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation or support our work. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842
2. About the speakers
Baroness Usha Prashar of Runnymede, CBE has been an instrumental figure in the development of the National Literacy Trust from its very beginnings. In 1992, the Baroness was appointed to support Sir Simon when he launched the charity as Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, working with the first Director, Neil McClelland, from 1993 to 2006. From 2001 to 2005 the Baroness succeeded Sir Simon as Chairman of the National Literacy Trust. The Baroness was made President of the National Literacy Trust in December 2010.
Anthony Horowitz is a long-standing supporter of the National Literacy Trust and is dedicated to championing the importance of literacy and fostering a love of reading in the UK. He is the author of the phenomenally successful Alex Rider books, which have sold over 12 million copies in the English language and been translated into 28 languages. The ninth and final Alex Rider novel, SCORPIA RISING, will be published by Walker Books on 31 March. Anthony enjoys parallel success as a screenwriter, drawing TV's biggest audiences for the shows he creates and writes, including FOYLE'S WAR, COLLISION and the forthcoming INJUSTICE. He is currently writing the screenplay for the second TINTIN movie, to be directed by Peter Jackson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg, and has recently been commissioned by Orion Books and the Conan Doyle literary estate to write a new SHERLOCK HOLMES novel, due for publication in November.
