Rosie and the Unicorn
1614. Sally Penni
1615. Maddie Penni
Sally Penni MBE, and her daughter Maddie S-J, aged 6, from Manchester, together wrote a charity picture book in lockdown, ‘Rosie and the Unicorn’, celebrating diversity and inclusivity whilst fundraising for NHS Charities, ‘Young Minds’ and The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Sally is a lawyer and is dedicated to improving diversity and inclusion, particularly within the legal profession, where she is the founder of ‘Women in The Law UK’, a not-for-profit networking organisation helping women progress in their legal careers. During lockdown, whilst home-schooling, her daughter Maddie came up with an idea for writing a book and together they saw an opportunity to share a story celebrating multiculturalism, kindness and community cohesion, whilst benefiting good causes that have been put under pressure due to the pandemic.
The award for Sally and Maddie coincides with World Book Day.
In a personal letter to Sally and Maddie, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Every day I write to someone in our country to thank them for their service to others. Today, on World Book Day, I would like to thank you both for your charity book ‘Rosie and the Unicorn’.
“In telling Rosie’s magical journey, you are telling the important story of kindness, inclusivity and community.”
Sally and Maddie said:
“We wrote the book to raise funds for NHS Charity. How wonderful to be awarded the Points of Light for it. Thank you so much, we are thrilled.”