The winners have been revealed for Island charity Sight for Wight's short story writing competition.

This year more than £875 has been raised for the charity - which supports visually impaired Islanders and their families.

The Short Story Writing Competition Award Ceremony on Monday became a virtual event this year because of coronavirus.

As previously reported, winners will each have their story voiced by a celebrity.

With a live stream on Facebook and YouTube with over 500 viewers to find out if they were one of the lucky ten winners, the evening of entertainment included: Hannah The Vintage Songbird, Ben Stubbs, Kelly Burke and a poem written and narrated by volunteer Howard Thomas.

Winners...

The under 12’s category winner

...was Isobel Woodford with her story, ‘Be Careful What You Wish for’, recorded by screenwriter and playwright, Ray Allen.

Above: Isobel Woodford

The 12 – 17 category winner

....was Charlotte Wilson with her story, ‘I Wish I Had One More Day’ recorded by Jo Brand.

Above: Charlotte Wilson

The Highly Commended category

...was added to recognise someone who showed the most potential as a future winner; this year’s winner was Claudia Summers with her story, written as a poem, ‘Whale Song’ recorded by Edana Minghella. 

Above: Claudia Summers receives her award from Chris Cane (Marketing & Events)

The 18+ category winner

....was Fred Canavan with his story, ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ recorded by actor Melvyn Hayes. 

Fred has been a regular entrant and last won in 2018.

Above: Fred Canavan

Category winners will have their stories available to listen to on the Sight for Wight website: www.sightforwight.org.uk

Competition organiser, Chris Cane, Marketing & Events, said: 

“We were honoured to have Ray Allen, Jo Brand, Melvyn Hayes and Edana Minghella read for us this year so a huge thanks to them for their help and support.

I would also like to extend thanks to Hannah The Vintage Songbird, Ben Stubbs and Kelly Burke for taking the time and trouble to record songs, especially for our virtual award ceremony, which was enjoyed by over 250 viewers on YouTube.  It is so generous of our celebrity readers, entertainers, staff and volunteers who all gave up their time to support Sight for Wight with this year’s Short Story Writing Competition Virtual Award Ceremony so a huge thank you to everyone.” 

CEO, Lisa Hollyhead, added:

 “The competition this year was fierce; we had 25 percent more stories than last year and I cannot thank Chris Cane enough for all the time he has volunteered to the Charity to make this possible. I don’t know how he manages to engage so many people; all of whom volunteer their own time to make this event so worthwhile.

Thank you everyone and well done to the winners. I could not put their entries down; they were all so engaging. The evening was a great success with over two hundred and fifty Facebook viewers and a further two hundred and sixty on YouTube. A particular well done to Claudia who was very brave in entering her story as a poem; a well-deserved winner and huge congratulations to Isobel, Fred and Charlotte too.

A final thanks must go to the entrants who took the time and trouble to enter this year’s competition and also our sponsors: ASDA; Busy Bee; Chale Parish Council; Margaret Dilley; Dinosaur Isle; The Entertainer; Fairlee Service Station; Farmhouse Fayre; Goddard’s Beer; Isle of Wight Cheese Company; Isle of Wight Pearl; Janice Ferguson; Garlic Farm; Sandham Office Services; Tapnell Farm; TESCO; Ventnor Botanic Garden; Wight Computers; Wightlink who provided the prizes.”

Above: Hannah The Vintage Songbird

Above: Ben Stubbs

Above: Kelly Burke

Above: Howard Thomas (volunteer)