A millennium celebration gathering almost 7000 children from 87 schools into Coventry’s War Memorial Park has secured a new backer.

Coventry University has agreed to sponsor All Schools Day on Thursday, 8 June.

The university is to put £5,000 into the spectacular event, which will draw almost 7000 Coventry schoolchildren, from years 5 and 6, for a day of celebrations and reflection in the park.

Cyrrhian Macrae, the university's Director of Corporate Affairs, said,:

"We are delighted to make this positive contribution to All Schools Day.

“The young people of Coventry represent the city's future and we want to support them. I'm sure that this day will remain in their memories for a long time to come."

The event, which is being organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Promotions, is the biggest gathering of its kind in Coventry for many years.

All Schools Day - A Journey Through Time is part of the Spirit of Coventry Education and Community Millennium Project, co-ordinated by the city's education service.

It is one of the initiatives supported by Coventry's £80,000 Regional Millennium Celebrations Grant.

During the event, which is not open to the public, the city's past will be brought to life with a visual timeline, illustrating its 1000-year history with events and characters.

There will be opportunities for children to look at environmental issues for the future and a rolling programme of entertainment to make the whole experience fun as well as educational.

All 7000 children will come together for a Moment of Reflection in the middle of the day.

Organiser Gareth Jenkins said:

"We are very grateful for the university's help.  It seems very appropriate for a university to get behind an educational event like this and their money will give the children a better quality experience."
  

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