Member Article

Dyslexic founder of educational Dekko Comics wins national award

The inspiring founder of an educational comic series which aims to help children overcome barriers to reading has been recognised at the national Dyslexia Awards.

Rossie Stone, director of Glasgow-based Dekko Comics and son of BBC news anchor Sally Magnusson, won the trophy for Amazing Artist at the awards night on September 24.

Winners from as far afield as Worcestershire, Shropshire and Northumbria also picked up awards at the celebration evening.

The ceremony was held at the Enginuity interactive museum in Coalbrookdale with about 100 guests present, and many more watching on live streams from around the country.

Judges described Rossie as ‘multi-talented’ and a ‘true ambassador’ for dyslexics.

Rossie was diagnosed with dyslexia at primary school and struggled to read basic textbooks and found English lessons difficult.

Nevertheless, he excelled at art and in his mid 20s, decided to use this talent and his love of comics to start building his educational business.

In April 2016 with more than £13,000 funding from a Kickstarter campaign he officially launched Dekko Comics as a Limited company and just a few months later released the first two comic issues to the public.

Now his comics, which turn Key Stage 2 curriculum content into engaging comic strips, are helping thousands of youngsters to overcome motivational barriers to learning including those with dyslexia and autism.

Receiving the award Rossie said: “I’m very proud to win this award. It has taken a lot of hard work, time and dedication to ensure Dekko Comics are accessible to as many children as possible world-wide.

“Winning this award has reminded me that it was only because of my own struggles with dyslexia that I came up with the business-idea for Dekko Comics in the first place.

“Our aim is to make reading and learning accessible and enjoyable to all children, particularly those who are dyslexic so that we can help build confidence.”

Awards founder Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE said the celebration event was a huge success. She said: “All nine awards were open to nominations from right across the UK, and the judges were overjoyed with the quality of entries in all sections.

“It is so lovely to hear stories of my fellow dyslexics achieving their goals and dreams, hearing about their successes and about super supportive educators and employers too. “Dyslexics are a vastly untapped stream of positive and alternative thinking. Rossie is a shining example of how utilising your strengths can have a profound impact, not just on you as an individual but on others too. Positivity has a ripple effect and what an effect this young man is having on so many - well done Rossie!”

The Dyslexia Awards showcase the diverse skills and strengths of dyslexic people and recognise those supporting them.

Awards were presented in nine categories and the winners were:

• Learning Support Award: Tina Birring from Birmingham City University
• Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) Award: Samantha Jones from City of Wolverhampton College in the West Midlands
• Exceptional Educator Award: Katie Frimston from Roseheath College, Cheshire
• Amazing Artist Award: Rossie Stone, creator of Dekko Comics based in Glasgow, Scotland
• Entrepreneur Award: Clive Knowles, founder of the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire
• Community Shining Star Award (20plus): Texas Bishop from Redditch, Worcestershire
• Community Shining Star Award (aged 13-19): Morgan Jones from Shropshire
• Innovation Award: Simon Washbrook, founder of Birmingham-based CRM Popcorn
• Supportive Employer Award: Northumbria Police

Eli, who is dyslexic herself, has run The Dyslexic Dyslexia Consultant business since 2007 and has worked in the field of dyslexia for 22 years. She was awarded an MBE for her services to dyslexia in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

She is committed to showcasing the diverse achievements of positive educators, marking the achievements of dyslexic individuals and celebrating diversity in the workplace to bring about positive changes in society.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melanie Boulter .