That's Travel: Voyager Travel Direct announces family deals for M...

That's Travel: Voyager Travel Direct announces family deals for M...: Voyager Travel Direct has revealed reduced prices on luxury holidays to Madeira departing in July and August 2012. The online travel agenc...

That's Travel: At a Glance Guide to All of Orlando’s Water Parks ...

That's Travel: At a Glance Guide to All of Orlando’s Water Parks ...: Water park enthusiasts are getting excited about the grand opening of LEGOLAND Florida Water Park on 26th May 2012. For families taking ...

KISS Public Relations appointed to handle the launch of Petra’s Planet, a new virtual world for children

Finnish-based Dramaforum Oy has appointed East of England PR agency, KISS Public Relations to handle the launch of Petra’a Planet, an exciting new virtual world aimed at children between 6-11 years old.

The free online game stimulates children’s natural curiosity and encourages exploration of other cultures through play in a virtual environment. KISS Public Relations will handle a press and public relations campaign which will incorporate both print, online and social media.

The account was won following a two-way pitch with KISS Public Relations impressing Dramaforum Oy with its creative ideas and experience. Sheila Mitham works with Leeds-based Dubit and Kzero, companies that have been involved in developing the virtual world. She said, “We chose KISS Public Relations as the agency had some great creative and cross-media ideas and a good understanding of this sector.”

Commenting on this latest win, Justine Smith, PR Director at KISS Public Relations said, “We are very excited to be appointed to handle the launch of Petra’s Planet. The PR campaign will focus on engaging with a wide range of media, as well as targeting influential bloggers.”

Justine continued, “Digital educational games can have a significant impact on learning for children and are being used increasingly by teachers. A recent survey in the USA found that 70% of teachers believe using digital games boosts motivation and engagement with content and curriculum. Petra’s Planet has been developed with a huge focus on learning and education and has an extremely rich game content with over 47 individual mini-games. We are confident the new site will be a big hit in the UK.”

Aside from PR and social media, Petra’s Planet will also use AdWords, game seeding, promotions and campaigns on other social media sites including Everloop, Kid Zui and Vwogo.

New content will be created and added to Petra’s Planet continuously, with new regions being introduced in the months ahead, providing on-going news and product enhancements to communicate to the client’s target media.

Fostering People Ireland announces recruitment events

Fostering People Ireland, the non-statutory Dublin-based fostering agency, has announced two events aimed at recruiting more carers to help the growing number of children in need of care in the capital and the surrounding area. Fostering People Ireland has grown its reputation since its launch in September 2011, but remains in need of qualified, enthusiastic carers.

The first event will be held at Maudlin House Hotel in Naas, County Kildare on 23 May 2012 from 4pm - 8pm. The second event will be held on 6 June 2012 at the Premier Inn, Airparks in Swords, County Dublin from 4pm - 8pm. Refreshments will be provided at both events.

The fostering agency based in Dublin is encouraging people from all walks of life to come and talk to their advisors about all things fostering, from qualities needed to become a foster carer to fees and allowances. The events are an ideal opportunity for people to have an informal chat with the agency's foster care experts in order to see if caring would be a good fit for them.

Whilst Foster Care Fortnight is in full swing in the UK, Fostering People Ireland is determined to keep the spotlight firmly on addressing the growing need for carers in the Dublin area.

Lesley Dale, Service Manager at Fostering People Ireland, said: "Events like these are crucial in helping people find out whether fostering is right for them. Whether they are able to drop by for a quick chat or stay for a drink to discuss fostering, we can provide the information that can help them make the decision that has the potential to change the lives of children in need.

"Fostering People have really made a name for themselves in Ireland as an independent fostering agency with a great network of support for its foster carers. We hope that these events will help us get that message across and convince people that deciding to become a foster carer is life changing."

FACTFILE:
Fostering People is a non-statutory fostering agency based in Glasnevin, Dublin. Working in partnership with the HSE, Fostering People provides high quality family-based placements for children in need of foster care.

Fostering People is a part of the international Core Assets Group, providing positive outcomes for children and young people around the world through high quality social care services.

Make your own Jubilee party decorations!

Anyone interested in decorating a Jubilee Celebration free?

www.themetraders.com/make-your-own_jubilee-party-decorations...

Themetraders party planners, props and productions are celebrating the Jubilee by giving away free on their website, templates of Royal Crowns, Union Jack flags, Jubilee cup cake wraps, Union Jack Bunting, Royal Tiaras.

These are ideal as activities for children to decorate and to make.

Themetraders has stunning Diamond Jubilee decorations and is decorating many many Queens Jubilee parties, top tips, if you want to create the ultimate street party or simply have an extravagant Royal party theme consider throne hire, Royal Jubilee props, Jubilee prop hire, and install amazing queens Jubilee decorations.
www.themetraders.com/queens-jubilee.php

That's Health: A breakthrough in allergy prevention

That's Health: A breakthrough in allergy prevention: Highlights of new breakthrough clinical evidence were previewed at the Allergy + Free From Show (18-22 May 2012) which demonstrates that t...

Christening Gifts with a Personal Twist from GoneDigging

A christening is a special event for everyone involved, right? The parents, grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, godparents... the lot. When you’re deliberating over what Christening gift to plump for, on the one hand, you could go for something traditional like a prayer book or a bible, or you could go for something innovative, namely something from leading personalised gifts site www.gonedigging.co.uk...

When you think of buying a Christening present, do you cringe at the thought of another money box, photo frame or silver rattle? Let’s face it; while these gifts are quaint, they’re not exactly imaginative or exciting.

There’s really no excuse for picking such conventional, dull christening gifts any more. There are so many unusual and exciting pressies out there. Nowadays, more and more folks want to give something that shows they’ve really thought about their choice of Christening gift idea and prefer to give something that stands out from the crowd.

To find something that’s well-designed, high quality, affordable and special sounds like a lot to ask, doesn’t it? So where and how do you find these almost too-good-to-be-true-sounding christening gift ideas?

Well, here’s the good news: you don’t even have to set foot anywhere near a shop or spend hours battling your way through busy crowds. Who’s got the time anyway? No, courtesy of the internet, it’s a walk in the park.

GoneDigging has a babylicious array of personalised christening gifts, which you can get from the comfort of your sofa. These tend to be bespoke name-based gifts, and you can buy everything from Babies Astrological Charts to Personalised Teddy Bears – or even name a star after a wee one – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/christening-gifts/

If you’re a godparent, the traditional Christening gift is anything made of silver. Conventional christening presents include silver photo frames, jewellery like necklaces and bracelets. You can choose to have many of these products engraved with the child’s name or initials, or even a special message:

Silver Name Bracelet, £49.99 – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/engraved-gifts/engraved-jewelle...

Cheeky Cherub Necklace – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/engraved-gifts/engraved-jewelle...

Christening Photo Frame, £22.99 – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/engraved-gifts/engraved-silver-...
Personalised Children’s Books – from £12.99

For truly unusual christening gifts, plump for a Personalised Children’s Book, featuring the little one’s name throughout the story and across every picture – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/unusual-childrens-gifts/persona...

Personalised Fairy Tales – £19.99
You can also get your hands on Personalised Fairy Tales – even adults will love to relive the magic of fairy tale stories! There are all kinds of titles up for grabs, including Jack & the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Three Little Pigs and more – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/unusual-childrens-gifts/persona...

Food Hampers – from £49.99
The parents of the baby in question definitely wouldn’t turn down a delicious hamper complete with a bottle of their favourite tipple. What’s more, you can personalise the bottle label with ANY NAME & PERSONAL MESSAGE –http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/hampers-and-gourmet-food-gifts/...

Name Canvases – £34.99
Chic and unique Christening gifts don’t stop there. How about a Name Canvas, with the child’s name magically printed in a beautiful array of letters? These would make lovely Christening gifts for girls –http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/unusual-childrens-gifts/childre...

Personalised Blankets - £29.99
Made from the softest fleece and personalised with the little one’s name, Personalised Blankets will keep any sleepy baby or tiny tot super toasty and warm whether they’re at home or on an autumnal walk – http://www.gonedigging.co.uk/unusual-gifts/unusual-gift-idea...

Granted, you might have to pay a tad more than the proverbial silver-plated money box or dummy, but with a bit of online searching, you can find pretty, practical and very personal Christening gifts for boys and girls that’ll be cherished for a lifetime.

That's Travel: And granny came too - families unite on holiday fr...

That's Travel: And granny came too - families unite on holiday fr...: Holidaymakers at Park Cliffe in Cumbria Many families will holidaying with grandma and granddad, this year. That's the findi...

That's Parenting: Kids! Win a Trip to Thailand and Become Anantara's...

That's Parenting: Kids! Win a Trip to Thailand and Become Anantara's...: After last year's wonderfully successful worldwide search, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is again looking for a keen elephant lover a...

Kids! Win a Trip to Thailand and Become Anantara's 2012 Roving Elephant Reporter

After last year's wonderfully successful worldwide search, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is again looking for a keen elephant lover and budding TV star aged between 7 and 15 to become this year's Roving Elephant Reporter, at the 11th King's Cup Elephant Polo Tournament (Sept. 12-16, 2012) in Hua Hin Thailand.

 

Created to cover the larger than life games from a perspective that has never been seen or heard before, the young winner will become a media star in the making as they create a video report on the event, as well as enjoying an all expenses paid seven night stay at Anantara Riverside Resort and Spa in Bangkok and Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Thailand, with an accompanying adult, including return air fares.

The winner of Anantara's hunt for a Roving Elephant Reporter will become a star of the ele polo circuit, delivering a television report with VIP access to all areas.  Exclusive interviews with Cherry the Elephant Vet and Director of Elephants, John Roberts and Thailand's last Elephant Spirit Men will allow the Roving Elephant Reporter to investigate all areas of the tournament with Anantara's most experienced elephant gurus.  In addition to meeting the pros the lucky winner will also be able to do some celebrity spotting on and off the field during the event.

The Roving Elephant Reporter will also explore the Royal seaside town of Hua Hin with a series of signature excursions, such as a visit the exquisite teak wood palace of love and hope - Maruekhathaiyawan - one of the oldest and most treasured royal palaces in Thailand.  An elephant trek through a local vineyard will also invite the reporter's parent to refresh their own adventurous spirit with an expert tasting session.  A specially devised kid's Thai cooking class and an art class on the pitch. While a day spent playing in the gentle waves of Hua Hin's long golden shore will round off the trip of a lifetime.

"Being the winner of last year's Roving Elephant Reporter was the most amazing experience in my life," said 2011 winner, fourteen year old, Ann Skelly, from Ireland. "From helping with actual vet checks, interviewing the elephant experts and the players, including the New Zealand All Blacks and German royalty, to seeing the elephants up close was truly an awe inspiring experience and I wish all the entrants to this year's competition the best of luck."

To enter this elephantastic competition, simply submit/upload a short video lasting between one and two minutes to www.facebook.com/anantara

• Press "Like"; 
• Go to 'Share' on the main wall
• Click 'Video', where you have a choice of recording a video with your webcam or uploading a pre-prepared video and tell us why you should be chosen as Anantara's Roving Elephant Reporter. 
• Alternatively, mail the CD to I Want To Be An Elephant Reporter, Anantara Hotels, 17th Floor Berli Jucker House, 99 Soi Rubia, Sukhumvit Soi 42, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

The contestant with the best video entry, as voted by our elephant experts will be invited to spend seven fun filled nights on a full board basis with an accompanying adult at Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, including return flights, accommodation, daily activities and transport.

Tell the world your amazing elephant tales with Anantara as your guide.

Please note the following Terms & conditions:

Contestants must be aged between 7 and 15 years

Videos must be between 1 and 2 minutes long

Contestants may be of any nationality, but present their video in English

Entries must be submitted by August 1st

The competition winner will be announced on August 4th, 2011

Must be available to participate in the tournament from Sept 12 - 16, 2012

Contact organizers for full terms & conditions