Kids Week In The West End Organiser, Emma De Souza, Honoured With London Hero Award

Kids Week in the West End organiser, Emma De Souza was honoured with the London Hero award at the BT Visit London People's Choice Awards 2009 last night presented by Kim Wilde at Westfield London. Sponsored by Magic 105.4 and voted for by the public, this award marks Emma de Souza's commitment to Kids Week - the much-loved annual children's theatre initiative which encourages young people to enjoy the magic of the London's theatre.

Whilst the BT Visit London Awards is in its 6th year, this was the first time members of the public were recognised for their extraordinary contributions to the capital through the London Hero award. Thanks to Emma De Souza's continued dedication and enthusiasm and the help of the Kids Week team, this year's event smashed all records selling over 51,000 tickets. During this time, her son was seriously ill and being treated at Great Ormond Hospital. Emma decided to use Kids Week 2009 to raise money and awareness for the Great Ormond Street Hospital's Theatres for Theatres Appeal (www.gosh.org).

Award-winning Emma De Souza, Kids Week organiser, comments; "I am so overwhelmed to win this People's Choice award and extremely touched that one of the Kids Week mum's, Hana Thompson, took the time to nominate me. I am so grateful to everyone who took the trouble to vote for me. The award has come as a huge boost at a tricky time and it is wonderful to have the achievements of Kids Week recognised and to be able to give back to Great Ormond Street Hospital who have twice saved my little boy's life. My £1000 prize money will go to the Theatres for Theatres appeal which aims to raise £4 million over the next 3 years to build 2 new operating theatres for the neurosurgery ward where my son was lucky enough to have received his treatment."

Now in its 12th year, Kids Week offers children aged 5 - 16 the opportunity to experience the magic of London theatre for free when accompanied by a full paying adult, and another two children can go half price. The Kids Week fun doesn't stop there as children also have the unique chance to take part in a range of free show-linked activities and workshops designed to engage and inspire the next generation of theatre lovers. Kids Week will be back for 2010, see www.kidsweek.co.uk and sign up to the Family Bulletin to be the first to find out all the latest news.