The Children’s Walk of Fame (CWF), launched last year to great acclaim from children, parents, and stars alike this week unveils a two month national vote to find the most popular children’s stars of 2006 and raise funds for chosen cause The Variety Club Children’s Charity.

Amongst those nominated to receive an award and plaque on the Walk of Fame, hosted at favourite zoo and children’s destination Drusillas Park are: The Simpsons, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Fifi & The Flowertots, Dick & Dom, stars from CBeebies and CBBC, Reggie Yates, Fearne Cotton and Jonny Wilkinson plus a whole host of other children’s favourites.

Voting has now begun via a national SMS text message campaign supported by The Early Learning Centre, Leapfrog Day Nurseries and local children’s t’shirt company Teeze. Texts cost £1.00 - 30p of which will be donated to Variety Club.

Stephen Crown, Chairman of Fundraising, The Variety Club Children’s Charity commented:
“We are delighted to be the beneficiary charity for the Children’s Walk of Fame text voting campaign. By texting their votes members of the public have the perfect opportunity to honour their favourite children’s star or character whilst making a donation to our worthy cause. So to all those mobile users out there…please make your next text count!”

Modelled on Hollywood’s famous attraction for movie stars, the Children’s Walk of Fame is a charitable effort that honours stars and characters that have significantly contributed to children’s lives through entertainment. The inductees are voted onto the walk via a nationwide vote in partnership with an array of children’s organisations and supporters.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for August 2006 to celebrate the Walk’s 1st Birthday. On hand to welcome the new stars onto the Children’s Walk of Fame will be Dave Benson Phillips (Children’s TV Presenter ‘Get Your Own Back’ and already honoured with his own plaque on the Walk), and Beatrix Potter favourites Mrs Tiggywinkle, Tom Kitten and Children’s Walk of Fame plaque holder Peter Rabbit.

Laurence Smith, Managing Director, Drusillas Park, commented: “We are delighted to be hosting the 1st Birthday Party for Children’s Walk of Fame at Drusillas and we will be extremely honoured to induct some real children’s icons onto the Walk this year.”

Details of how to take part in the CWF 2006 text vote, along with a list of this years nominations can be found in Early Learning Centre stores and Leapfrog Day Nurseries around the UK, and online at www.varietyclub.org.uk, www.elc.co.uk, www.leapfrogdaynurseries.co.uk, and www.drusillas.co.uk.

Last year saw the induction of Peter Rabbit, Sooty, Postman Pat, BBC’s Tracey Beaker, Pudsey Bear, Drusillas’ Meerkats, The Cheeky Girls and children’s TV presenters Chris Packham and Dave Benson Phillips.