Return of poetry event in memory of Calday student Chris Salmon (From Wirral Globe)

Return of poetry event in memory of Calday student Chris Salmon

9:40am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Geoff Barnes

A local literary competition to commemorate the memory of a poetry-loving Wirral student is returning with wider appeal.

More than 400 entries were received for the last poetry extravaganza organised by the Chris Salmon Foundation in conjunction with Wirral libraries.

The annual poetry competition, first held in 2010, commemorates the memory of the Calday Grange Grammar school student who died from a rare streptococcal infection in February 2009, aged 15.

The competition, previously open to all primary, secondary and sixth-form students in Wirral, this year has been widened to also allow entrants aged 16 and over.

The theme of this year’s competition is “Water”.

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners and runners-up in each category, as well as the chance to attend a poetry workshop organised by renowned local poet John Hughes.

The overall winner will become Wirral’s Young Poet Laureate for the following 12 months at an awards ceremony to be held towards the end of April next year.

The Chris Salmon Foundation was set up in 2009 and has so far raised over £20,000 in his memory.

As well as organising the poetry competition, the foundation donates to various educational projects and the trustees are hoping to raise enough funds to establish specialist research into the condition that affected Christopher.

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure said: “The Chris Salmon Foundation has ensured he will have an enduring legacy by promoting literacy and creativity and inspiring others with his love of poetry.

"The competition gets bigger year after year and their fundraising activities touch the lives of so many in our community.”

Entry forms are available from schools and online at chrissalmon.org.uk.

Completed forms can be emailed to Diane Mitchell at dianemitchell@wirral.gov.uk or handed in to Birkenhead Central Library by January 25, 2013.