The ScottishPower Foundation, sponsor of the Wigtown Book Festival, is energising creative 15- to 25-year-olds in Dumfries & Galloway, in a challenge to develop a new comic book superhero.
Budding illustrators will be asked to create a comic book character or superhero with energy-related powers capable of being incorporated into a short comic strip.
The competition will launch at the Wigtown Book Festival, with publisher / teacher Hugh Bryden, delivering an interactive workshop called Hugh's Comic Commotion.
Although the challenge is open to young people throughout Dumfries & Galloway, there will be an opportunity for those attending the Wigtown workshop to get a head start: Bryden will be providing hints and tips on comic creation and bringing characters to life.
The lucky winner will receive an Apple iPad Mini and will see their character appear across ScottishPower Foundation’s marketing materials.
Ann Loughrey, Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, said:
“The ScottishPower Foundation is proud to sponsor one of the UK’s best-loved literary events. It is fantastic to be part of such a culturally rich festival that caters for everyone, and we are especially excited to be involved in a project that is created by young people, for young people. We are very much looking forward to seeing all the energy-related superheroes.
“The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to supporting community programmes that inspire young people to get more out of education, arts, culture and science, and we’re looking forward to another successful year at Wigtown.”
Anne Barclay, Wigtown Book Festival organiser said:
"The ScottishPower Foundation Comic Generation is just one in a new series of events for young people, aimed at encouraging greater participation in literature and the arts.
“We’re looking for young people from throughout the region to get their thinking caps on and develop their very own superhero with energy-related powers. We are grateful to ScottishPower Foundation for its continued support. The quality and diverse range of activities continues to grow year-on-year and this is only achievable with the support of our valued sponsors and partners.”
The ScottishPower Foundation is working with the Festival specifically to support its youth programme Wigtown: The Festival (WTF), which was created by young people, for young people.
Hugh's Comic Commotion will take place on Sunday 28 September at 4pm at Wigtown Book Festival.
The ScottishPower Foundation was established in 2013 to support charitable projects and reinforce the energy company’s commitment to charitable work throughout Britain.
The competition will be open for entries from Thursday 25 September and will close at midnight on Sunday 26 October. For information on how to enter go to www.stripecommunications.com
For further information, media interviews or images please contact Kirsty Macleod or Jen Ward at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8628 or email spfoundation@stripecommunications.com
Notes to editors:
About the ScottishPower Foundation
The ScottishPower Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SC043862) and a company limited by guarantee (SC445116). The Foundation’s aim is to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities and non-profit organisations for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.