cartoon created by parents with two autistic children
October 20, 2007
For Immediate Release

Please Contact:
+44 7794 486 602 Bernard Sparkes or
+1 727-209-1745 Cassie Bouldin


SpongeBob Squarepants, Big Bird, Chicken Little and Splat

Oct 22, 2007 -- /prbuzz/ --November 22, 2007 (New York, NY.) –What do these four characters have in common? They will be strutting their stuff down Broadway Ave, in the 81st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Splat the lead character from the Shelltown animation and book will be making an appearance in his very first Macy’s parade.

Egg-citing time ahead for cartoon created in Northern Ireland

An 'egg-cellent' cartoon character created by an Ulster-based couple will take part in one of America's biggest parades this winter.

'Splat' the lead character in Shelltown animation - an idea spearheaded by Bernard & Patricia Sparkes from Ballymoney - will appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York this November to help kick off the holiday season.

The character, described as a 'good egg' will be seen by millions of Americans who line the Manhattan streets to watch the floats, cartoon characters and celebrities participate in the spectacular annual event, organised by the world's largest department store.

Mrs Sparkes (48) and her husband, Bernard (37), have 14 children two of whom are autistic were originally from England and moved to Northern Ireland about 11 years ago.

They spotted the potential for the characters and self-published a book based on the eggs.

They have since developed a pilot cartoon about Shelltown with ex-Boyzone singer Ronan Keating lending his voice to the main character Splat, Ronan also liked the project so much he joined the company as a shareholder.

Comedian Johnny Vegas, actors Julian fellows and Kenneth Branagh are also to be voices in the project.

"The original idea was thought up by Patricia back in 1999," Mr Sparkes said

"We opened a box of eggs and there was one that was a bit crinkly and looked strange.

"Patricia then made up a character about the egg to entertain the children.

"Since then the characters have developed.

"You've got the good eggs Splat, Cracker and Exactly, and the bad eggs Rotten Ron, Stinker and Eddie. "There's also PC Boiler, your friendly local policeman who's tough on crime."

After promoting Shelltown during a trip to America, Mr Sparkes received a letter from Macy's inviting the character Splat to be part of the parade on November 22.

"We were really pleased," he said.

" We will be the only UK and Irish cartoon character waling in the parade. It is a huge deal in the US.

Bernard will be travelling over to New York in November and will be doing media interviews before and after the parade.

"It is a great opportunity for Splat to be seen across the world, as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the biggest held in America."

Mr Sparkes said he hopes the American appearance will boost interest in developing the Shelltown characters further.

"We also hope to link up with a US based autism charity as we already support the National Autistic society in the UK, and having two autistic children this is close to our harts”

The trip has been made possible by the help of Belfast International Airport, who have arrange for the
the kind donation of the air fare by Continental Airlines.

To find out more about Shelltown log on to www.shelltown.co.uk

To arrange an interview, please contact:-

Bernard Sparkes by email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or by phone UK +44 (0)7794 486 602 US Tel: +1 (516) 874-5209
Or Cassie Bouldin from Savvy Buzz by email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or by phone at +1 727-209-1745.
About the Press Release
SpongeBob Squarepants, Big Bird, Chicken Little and Splat November 22, 2007 (New York, NY.) –What do these four characters have in common? They will be strutting their stuff down Broadway Ave, in the 81st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Splat the lead character from the Shelltown animation and book will be making an appearance in his very first Macy’s parade. Egg-citing time ahead for cartoon created in Northern Ireland


 
< Prev   Next >