Press Release

__Date: 27 February 2019 __

In support of World Book Day, taking place on 7 March, ferry operator DFDS hosted interactive readings and workshops run by popular British children's authors, for passengers travelling between Dover and Calais on 23 February.

Children and families from the UK, France, Netherlands and Germany participated in the unique workshops on board, which were offered to passengers as part of the ferry company's World Book Day campaign, inspiring children and parents to #ShareAStory.

Three authors delivered the workshops, each demonstrating their unique way of storytelling.

John Byrne, a cartoonist and the author of Learn to Draw Cartoons and Puffin's Brilliantly Big Bumper Joke Book: An A-Z of Everything Funny, ran an interactive 'learn to cartoon' workshop, which parents took part in too.

Steve Cole, author of Astrosaurs, Young Bond plus many more, ran a creative writing workshop, during which he taught children quick-and-easy ways to invent and grow story ideas, as well as sharing some of his secret writing tips.

John Dougherty, poet, song writer and author of the Stinkbomb & Ketchup Face series, ran a lively dramatised reading of his award-winning book There's a Pig Up My Nose, as well as playing his guitar and singing with children.

Steve Garner, Customer Experience Manager for DFDS said: "We welcomed over 129,000 families onboard our ships in 2018, so naturally, we were delighted to be able to offer these engaging and interactive workshops during the busy February half-term.

"World Book Day is such a fantastic charity to support; they strive to encourage families to take time each day to share stories and promote the importance of reading for pleasure. As a ferry operator, we recognise that families are given quality time they may not otherwise have when travelling by other modes of transport, so to be able to partner with the charity and authors to maximise that opportunity this half term is something we are really proud of."

Kirsten Grant, Director of World Book Day said: "We're delighted that DFDS are supporting World Book Day's Share A Story campaign this year with their fun on-board events. We know that spending just 10 minutes a day reading with children of all ages can make a crucial difference to their future, and it's wonderful that families have had the opportunity to spend quality time together sharing stories. We hope that this will kick-start the habit of enjoying reading together long after World Book Day is over for another year."

The 20-minute workshops were held in the Lighthouse Café, during which children were given colouring activities, including an illustrated collection of bookmarks, designed by Rob Biddulph, the official World Book Day illustrator for 2019, which they could colour and design.

DFDS will be continuing their support of World Book Day with further activities scheduled onboard King Seaways, docked in Newcastle on 7 March.

DFDS operates daily sailings between Dover-Dunkirk (from £45 each way for a car with maximum of nine people) and Dover-Calais (from £49 each way for a car with maximum of nine people).

For further press information, please contact: Elsa Findlay / Charlotte Wright / Arabella Halfhide / Katie Raby Rooster PR T : +44 (0)20 3440 8930 E : DFDS@rooster.co.uk www.rooster.co.uk

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DFDS Press Office 01304 874052 Dover.pr@dfds.com

About DFDS:

DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.

DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.

In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for eight years running (2012-2019), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last seven years (2011-18).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, click here.