Young writers encouraged to enter national competition supporting Peterborough charity

Screen Your Story is an annual writing competition which is supported by popular British stars of the stage, screen and literary world.

Comedian Alistair McGowan, one of the competition sponsors and host of the annual gala, said: “I’m so pleased that Screen Your Story has chosen to support Kidney Research this year.

“Kidney problems can affect young and old alike and can be hugely debilitating. Anything that can help alleviate the pain of those suffering from kidney problems of any kind is most welcome.”

Patrons of the event include children’s author Michael Morpurgo, inspirational wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan, songwriter Sir Tim Rice and comedian Jack Whitehall. It offers young people the chance to become a published author and have their stories made into a film.

Not only does the competition encourage young people to follow their writing dreams, organisers also donate sponsorship funds to a good cause - and this year they decided to support Kidney Research UK.

Actress and patron Patricia Hodge said: “Screen Your Story is a very special enterprise, providing a platform for aspiring young writers and linking them to important charities to mutual and affecting benefit.

“To present these awards is always a highlight of my year and I am so very delighted that Kidney Research UK, which does such vital and admirable work, will be this year’s beneficiary. I shall hope we can all gather in person for the ceremony, but in whichever way it’s achieved it will be my privilege to be a part of it.”

Jack added: “The Screen Your Story competition is a fantastic way to encourage young people to get writing by giving them a real chance to get published. The amazing collections of winning stories shows just how much fine, undiscovered writing talent is out there.”

This year, young hopefuls are being asked to write about kindness. Either being kind, doing kind things, having kind thoughts, looking at what classes as kind and the effect of being kind.

Organisers are also asking: “Is it always a good thing to be kind? Is it boring? Some of the most striking characters in our literature have not been kind at all, sometimes horribly cruel and mean. So perhaps you would rather write about being unkind.”

Prizes include winners seeing their story published in a fully illustrated collection called ‘Stories From the Young’.

They also have a chance to read their story at the Children’s Literature Festival in Barnes, while professional directors will choose five stories to turn into films.

Age categories are in six groups and entries are judged by a panel made up of teachers, playwrights and writers.

Entries must be submitted by March 21. To find out more about the competition and get involved, visit the Screen Your Story website for more details.