Queen Emma stepping out to boost charity

St Annes Carnival Queen Emma Hanson will be walking the Blackpool Illuminations with her retinue to raise money for charity. She is pictured centre with Jenny Kelly, Bess Morrow, Josslyn Wibberley and Jolena Wibberley

The 10-year-old will be joined by members of her retinue and parents on a sponsored walk through Blackpool Illuminations this weekend.

The group will start at Bispham and cover the 5.4 mile route to Starr Gate.

Emma and retinue members Jenny Kelly, Bess Morrow, Josslyn Wibberley, Jolena Wibberley and Sophia Thompson are confident of raising hundreds of pounds for the carnival charity, having been encouraged by the response so far from friends and family as they have circulated sponsorship forms ahead of the walk.

Emma’s dad said: “Emma has always enjoyed the Illuminations and thought a sponsored walk through them would be the ideal way of raising some money for the Carnival fund.

“The response so far has been great and we hope we can raise plenty for the charity.”

The carnival fund was boosted to the tune of £1,000 earlier this month by the second annual carnival ball held at the Bedford Hotel. which was attended by Emma as well as featuring a host of entertainment, including an impromptu singing session from star comedian Bobby Ball.

The carnival has a long history of annually generating funds for a chosen charity and last year, £6,000 was raised for the North West Air Ambulance.

More details about backing the walk is available by email at [email protected]