A SPREYTON girl was at a glittering reception in London last week where she met a host of celebrities, including Dr Who actor Christopher Eccleston and singer Will Young. Kirsty Hawkins was at the Victoria and Albert Museum following her success in Mencap?s Snap! competition ? a national photographic competition which features photographs by and of people with a learning disability. She received a prize of a Fujifilm digital camera and met Lord Rix, president of Mencap. The reception was attended by many of Mencap?s supporters and celebrity ambassadors including Christopher Eccleston, Will Young, Lisa Scott-Lee, Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire and president of Mencap Lord Rix. Will Young said: ?I encourage everyone to go to the V&A and see Mencap?s Snap! exhibition for themselves. I found it incredibly touching. ?Each photo comes with a story that gives a brief, but revealing snapshot into the lives of people with a learning disability, their families, friends and carers. I challenge anyone to look at these photos and stories of love, life and loss, experiences that we all share and not be moved by them.? Kirsty?s photograph is on display at the V&A in London until August 1 and is featured in Understanding Us, volume 2, a book of the winners of 2004 and 2005 which is available from the V&A bookshop or [email protected]">[email protected] at £19.95. You can see all the Snap! winners in an online gallery at http://www.mencap.org.uk/">www.mencap.org.uk/ snap



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