14 June 2024

The winning joke was delivered at the Scottish Parliament on 6 June

Voicebox 2024 winner  Gordon Moodie poses with trophy
VoiceBox winner Gordon Moodie poses with trophy

9 year old Gordon Moodie from Cockenzie Primary School in East Lothian has been crowned the winner of the inaugural VoiceBox joke-telling competition hosted at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 6th June. He joined 27 other primary schoolchildren from across Scotland, who had MSPs in fits of laughter as they highlighted the importance of speech and language therapy. The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, with Zara Janjua, a BBC journalist and comedian, compering.

The winning joke, delivered by Gordon, was: “Why did the donkey go to the shops? ‘Cause he had Hee Haw in the hoose!”

The VoiceBox competition is designed to display the critical role that communication plays in a child’s development and the impact which speech and language therapy has on their future.

All of the 28 finalists were gifted £100 worth of books from competition sponsor Collins Big Cat, the leading whole-school primary reading programme.

The overall winner also received a £500 Collins Big Cat book voucher for their school, ensuring plenty of new reading material for them and their classmates. Second and third place winners each received £200 Collins Big Cat book vouchers for their school, and all three winners were also presented with a £100 toy gift card.

Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: “VoiceBox goes beyond entertainment; it highlights the vital role of speech and language therapy in empowering children to express themselves. It was brilliant to see all the kids here, and the RCSLT is thrilled to have brought VoiceBox to the Scottish Parliament, where it received such enthusiastic support. The joy and laughter shared today highlight the power of communication and the importance of nurturing it in our young people.”

Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, added: “It was a pleasure to host the final of the VoiceBox competition  at the Scottish Parliament. The children put so much effort and thought into their  jokes, which were a testament to their creativity and confidence. Events like these showcase the importance of helping children find their own voice and share their unique perspectives with the world.”