Get snapping for Mencap and you could win fabulous prizes!

Monday 14 January 2008

Mencap is calling for budding photographers across the UK to get involved in Snap! 2008, its sixth annual photo and story competition.

Once again the learning disability charity is looking for entries from people with a learning disability of all ages and their friends and families. There are 36 fantastic digital cameras from Fujifilm to be won and the winners' photos will be on display at a prestigious London museum this summer.

Dame Jo Williams, Mencap's chief executive, says: "Every year we receive truly inspiring and deeply touching photos and stories for Snap!. The competition is a fantastic way to open people's eyes to a world they may not know much about and to showcase the talents of people with a learning disability."

There are six categories to choose from, including three exciting new ones, and people have until 1 March 2008 to get their entries in. Every photo entered into Snap! must either be taken by or feature someone with a learning disability and be accompanied by a short descriptive story. Mencap wants to hear from people about what makes them happy, sad, proud or excited. Last year Mencap received over 700 entries from all across the UK and the learning disability charity wants to make this year's competition bigger and better.

As well as the chance to win a fantastic state of the art camera, winners will be invited to attend a glittering awards ceremony in London where they will rub shoulders with some of Mencap's celebrity supporters.

Snap! is supported by Fujifilm and The Sorrell Foundation. People can enter online or by post. For more information on how to enter, visit http://www.mencap.org.uk/snap or call 020 7696 5524.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

For more information and JPEGS of last year's winning pictures contact Tara Rayment, Mencap Press Office, 020 7696 6937 tara.rayment@mencap.org.uk 

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life.
• It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. That's why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want. 

The Sorrell Foundation

• The Sorrell Foundation was set up to inspire creativity in young people and to improve the quality of life through good design.
• For more information visit http://www.thesorrellfoundation.com/

Fujifilm

• Mencap has been Fujifilm's charity partner for the last 11 years. Fujifilm's financial support and specialist knowledge has helped Mencap to create a Media Library, which contains the core visuals for the majority of Mencap's work.
• Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging technology, products and services including digital cameras, photofinishing, digital storage and recording media, consumer and professional film, motion picture film, professional video, printing systems, medical imaging, office technology, flat panel displays and graphic arts.
• In the UK, Fujifilm has been supplying the imaging, printing and graphics industries, as well as consumers, professional and enthusiast photographers, with high quality, innovative products and serv