Business and individuals are being encouraged to donate prizes for the winners of a young people’s poetry and short story competition.

Youngsters across Waltham Forest aged 11 to 16 years old have three weeks left to submit their entries to the Write 2 a Life competition run by Forest Radio.

Organisers are looking for people to give their unwanted Christmas presents to the 30 winners who will have their work published in a book.

The themes are hope, health and life and students are encouraged to use their own writing and storytelling styles including rap for the poems of up to 25 lines and stories of up to 1,500 words.

A launch event hosted by the Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Yemi Osho will be held in January and the books will be auctioned to bidders and sold across London.

All proceeds will go to Diabetes UK, the chosen charity of the Mayor, which provides care to patients in the borough.

A spokesman for Forest Radio said he hopes the competition will inspire the leaders of tomorrow to “do something memorable” for themselves and charity.

He said: “The fact is, people often forget about the lives of others in need like the homeless, the elderly, the isolated and those with medical problems.

“We need reminding of how goodwill and talent can link people together and provide relief from suffering and pain.”

All donated prizes can be collected by Forest Radio and anyone who wishes to help should call Wayne Walton on 07956620228 or email wayne@forestradio.co.uk.