I CAN sells off English language a word at a time
Howard Lake | 27 October 2008 | News
Children’s communication charity I CAN, supported by dictionary publishers Collins, is giving supporters the chance to own part of the English language. You can now ‘adopt a word’, with all proceeds going to I CAN.
The charity is promoting the campaign as a good alternative Christmas present.
Words are available from £20, and “are yours to look after for a whole year, to punctuate and place in sentences as you like”.
Dictionary makers for 175 years, Collins has donated a strong database of words to I CAN from Collins English Dictionary.
English lexicographer and resident dictionary expert on TV’s ‘Countdown’, Susie Dent, has already adopted ‘moonset’ because “(it) was the late, great Richard Whiteley’s favourite word on Countdown, a show I have been with for over fifteen years.”
Former Spice Girl Mel C chose ‘Red’ as “it is my favourite colour”.
Timmy Mallett, host of the word association game, ‘Mallett’s Mallet’, opted for the word ‘brilliant’ as “it reflects my feeling about each day. There’s always something brilliant to enjoy!”
Virginia Beardshaw, Chief Executive of I CAN said: “Adopt a word provides a unique, feel-good gift for anyone and everyone. By giving words this Christmas, you can help I CAN make a difference to those children for whom speaking and understanding words is an everyday challenge.”
Those adopting a word will receive a gift pack containing an official certificate and an ‘after care’ booklet providing fun tips and advice on how to look after their new addition.
www.adoptaword.com
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.