The winner of a unique online poetry contest set up to raise funds for international landmine clearance charity MAG has been formally announced today.

Francesca McMahon’s poem “1^st Thirteenth Birthday” was judged the best of over 300 entries from all over the world. The voting process was conducted solely by the entrants of the competition themselves and worked very well - an online first. Poets of all levels entered the competition, and entries were received from as far afield as Australia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, USA and India.

Francesca is a published British novelist who lives in Essex. Her book, How to Marry the Dead, was recently published by Cinnamon Press.  

You can see details of the comp at www.poeticrepublic.com.

A bit about MAG:

MAG is a humanitarian organisation and co-laureate of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for its work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which culminated in the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty - the international agreement that bans the use and manufacture of anti-personnel landmines.

MAG is currently working in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Lebanon, Angola, Sudan, Rwanda, Cambodia and Lao PDR, amongst other countries. Our work encompasses clearing all types of unexploded ordnance, not just mines. Our specialists in the field are experts at destroying unexploded bombs, landmines, and at reducing weapons and ammunitions stockpiles safely. MAG also trains and employs members of local communities where we work, ensuring that they get the maximum benefit from our operations.