I Believe in Unicorns - Reading Agency Gala - Raffle

The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is a national charity that tackles life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. We work closely with partners to develop and deliver programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds; our vision is for a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life. We help 1.9 million people benefit from reading every year, through our programmes, our tireless campaigning, our excellent networks, and our power to influence, challenge and make change happen.

From the 26th May 2023 at 01:00 AM, until the 9th July 2023 at 03:55 PM.

‘Our imagination is like a muscle, the more we use it the stronger it becomes.’ 

Danyah will create a bespoke storytelling session especially for your school. This could include a whole school assembly followed by up to two spontaneous storytelling workshops. During her visit Danyah will work with teachers and children in various ways including riddles, tongue twisters, songs, warm up and storytelling games and creating stories together. 

All the children will have a chance to participate, play, observe and listen.

‘Thank you so so much for being incredibly inspiring today! The children have been talking about it constantly. It’s been amazing.’ Lisa - Year 2 Teacher & Creative Lead

Donated by Danyah Miller

No feast is complete without the delicious contents of this ever-so-convivial wicker. For breakfast, there's our Breakfast Blend tea and jars of Raspberry Preserve and Old English Hunt Marmalade.

For the lunchtime main event, you'll find our versatile Piccadilly Piccalilli and Green Tomato Chutney condiments, and tipples aplenty too: alongside handpicked bottles of Cremant d'Alsace, Stellenbosch Red, Meerlust and Gavi Terrarossa, you'll find two English Pilsners that pair perfectly with any centrepiece meat.

And what of teatime? Well, to partner your cuppa of choice — whether that's our Connoisseur Blend Coffee or our Breakfast Blend — there are tall tins of our Toffolossus and our Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscuits, a tin of our much-loved Piccadilly Biscuits, and a selection box of impossibly-decadent Chocolate Pralines and Ganaches, for good measure. And finally, there's the after-dinner cheeseboard — when our Biscuits for Cheese, Rosemary & Thyme Sables, Quince Cheese, Almond Stuffed Olives and Caramelised Mixed Nuts take centre stage. Now, who's hungry?

RRP £310

Donated by Fortnum & Mason

The enchanting tale of an extraordinary boy who brings a slice of magic to an ordinary town…

Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences world-wide since its premiere in 2005.

Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.

In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?

VIP event on Thursday 7th December including pre show reception

Donated by Matthew Bourne's New Adventures

Old Vic Artistic Director Matthew Warchus’ big-hearted, smash hit production of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic returns to The Old Vic, joyously adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne.

The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol fills the auditorium to the brim with mince pies, music and merriment. A unique staging immerses the audience in this uplifting story.

Join us for a pre-show reception with a special welcome from The Old Vic and an exclusive post-show party held in the theatre’s front of house spaces.

The Unicorn is the UK's leading professional theatre dedicated to producing inspiring and invigorating work for young audiences.

This prize is valid for any show for the next 12 months.

Donated by The Unicorn Theatre

WINNER OF TWO 2022 TONY AWARDS!

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE & BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Think you know the six Wives of Henry VIII? Think again…

The crowning glory of the West End, Broadway and beyond, history is about to get over-throne in the homegrown hit musical sensation, SIX, live at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, prepare to lose your head and experience the Tudor Wives’ lives as they turn back the clock and take to the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories of love, loss and the infamous ex they all have in common.

Join Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, backed by their fiercely all-female band, the Ladies in Waiting, and Get Down to a royal retelling of the sassiest story in British Her-story.

Valid any Tuesday to Friday performance between 1st September and 20th November 2023.

Donated by Nimax

There’s magic in every moment in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the most awarded play in history and “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes). And now, the 8th Harry Potter story is bringing the magic back to London’s West End.

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

This one-of-a-kind theatrical experience is packed with “thrilling theatricality and pulse-pounding storytelling” (The Hollywood Reporter). It will leave you “audibly wowed, cheering and gasping” (The Telegraph), as “visions of pure enchantment send shivers down your spine” (Rolling Stone). “It is out of this world, it’s magic, it’s a hit” (The Times).

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in summer 2016.

Tickets valid for any Wednesday to Friday performance between 1st September and 20th November 2023.

Donated by Nimax

Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved children's book writers. He has written more than 100 books and has won the Smarties Prize, the Whitbread Award, and most recently the Blue Peter Book Award for PRIVATE PEACEFUL. He is also the author of WAR HORSE, which has been made into a Tony Award-winning Broadway play and a Golden Globe-nominated film. Michael was Writer in Residence at The Savoy Hotel from January to March 2007, and previously he was Children's Laureate from 2003-2005, a role that took him across Britain to inspire a love of reading in children.

This prize entitles you to 5 x hardback signed Michael Morpurgo Books

• My Heart Was a Tree

• The Butterfly Lion illustrated gift edition

• The Carnival of Animals

• The Boy Who Would be King

• Owl or Pussycat

The National Trust look after Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty permanently for the benefit of the nation across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Trust owns almost 250,000 hectares of land, 780 miles of coast, more than 200 historic houses, 41 castles and chapels, 47 industrial monuments and mills, the sites of factories and mines, 9 lighthouses, 56 villages, 39 public houses, and 25 medieval barns. 

This prize entitles a family of 4 to enjoy Afternoon tea at any available National Trust property between now and end 2023.

With a unique ability to see the world through a child’s eyes, the aptly named author and illustrator Lauren Child is one of the most influential and innovative writers of her generation. Her creations include the popular picture book series Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean as well as the Ruby Redfort books for older readers.

In 2017 she was announced as the new Waterstones' Children's Laureate, declaring that her aim was to forge 'stronger links between the world of children’s literature and other art forms such as fine art, film, music, television and design.'

Hawthorn Press publishes thoughtful books for a creative, peaceful and earth-caring world. Their titles encompass education, crafts, nature activities, storytelling, Findus and Pettson, parenting and changemaking. Win a bundle of books from their storytelling series including the following titles:

Seven Secrets of Spontaneous Storytelling by Danyah Miller

Fairytales, Families and Forests: Storytelling with young children by Georgiana Keable and Dawne McFarlane

World Tales for Family Storytelling II: 44 Traditional Stories for Children aged 6-8 years by Chris Smith

Healing Storytelling: The Art of Imagination and Storymaking for Personal Growth by Nancy Mellon

A-Z Collection of Behaviour Tales: From Angry Ant to Zestless Zebra by Susan Perrow

Paul Smith has unveiled an inaugural home fragrance collection following the introduction of Paul Smith Home earlier in the year. Inspired by some of Paul’s most treasured memories and harnessing the designer’s love of colour and bold design, the set includes a series of collectible, reusable candles and diffusers.

This single wick candle has an RRP of £65

Meet the Burpee Bears in this glorious picture book created by “the Nation's Favourite PE Teacher”, Joe Wicks!

For this bear family, every day is a new day: a day for adventure and discovery. True to Joe’s ethos, each book will feature a fun and positive story. With added exercises –including burpees – and recipes, this book is perfect for families to share and enjoy together!

The Burpee Bears is the first book in the series and is infused with Joe’s signature sense of fun. Join the bears as they explore the everyday ups and downs of family life. Children will fall in love with the Burpee Bear characters; they bring a little bit of Joe magic and a whole lot of Wicks energy to delight and engage children as they read, laugh and leap into action!

Created by Joe, with the story co-written with acclaimed author Vivian French, and gloriously illustrated by stellar artist Paul Howard.

signed and donated by Joe Wicks

The Olivier Award nominated The Tiger Who Came to Tea is celebrating 15 years on stage and over 55 years as Britain’s best-loved picture book!

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem... expect to be surprised!

Produced by Nicoll Entertainment, based on the book by Judith Kerr OBE and directed by David Wood OBE.

David Wood OBE is undisputedly the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children. His many successes include The Gingerbread Man, The Witches and Babe the Sheep Pig.

donated by Nicoll Entertainment