Olympian to Host Children’s Storytelling Session at University of East London

Christine, an Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400m Champion, and also a children’s author will read from her book and others, at 4pm on 12 June at the Sunken Gallery, Stratford Water Lane Campus. She will be joined by a storyteller from the Discover Children’s Story Centre, a partner organisation in UEL’s pioneering work in Early Years.
Newham-born and raised Christine is supporting the University across a number of its sports, education and literacy programmes during this Olympic year as an ambassador.

She has said reading was key in helping her escape stress in her athletics career and after retiring from athletics in 2017, is now an advocate for children’s literacy, learning and life skills.

She is also running a university book club, aimed at enhancing people’s literacy skills and enjoyment of literature. The programme is run by East London Sport, the sports arm of the University.

Christine is heavily involved in the University’s ‘Sport in Your Futures’ programme, which provides aspirational opportunities for under-served local primary pupils to try out new activities and attend quality live sporting fixtures.

Christine, who still lives in the University’s home borough of Newham, was awarded an honorary doctorate in the arts by the University in 2009.

Her two Camp Gold series novels, Running Stars and Going for Gold were published in 2012 and 2015 respectively and are aimed at young readers.

The science-themed Innovation and Enterprise Summer Festival is free and open to the public with a huge variety of activities on offer from 3pm to 8pm.

Highlights include a mobile planetarium, a gaming van and sustainability workshops on designing your own trainers, upcycling your old clothes and making your own jewellery. Other attractions include an AI photobooth and the chance to sample ice cream supercooled by liquid nitrogen at minus 320°F.