The Sun on Sunday is launching its Books For Kids campaign to bring the joy of reading to more families during lockdown.
Running for the next four weeks in conjunction with BookTrust — the UK’s largest children’s reading charity — the title is calling on readers to send in their old children’s books, no matter how ripped and tatty they are.
The Sun on Sunday will then pay to recycle them before BookTrust begins free distribution of bright and colourful new publications carefully chosen by its children’s books experts.
Kids’ author and Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams who is backing the campaign said: “I wholeheartedly support this campaign. Some of my fondest memories are of reading with my parents and it’s devastating to think some families don’t have access to books.”
The Sun editor-in-chief, Victoria Newton said: “Books are such a vital part of childhood and are more important than ever at this time. Our loyal and generous readers always get behind our campaigns to help those who need it most and this is another cause we are proud to champion.”
TV presenter Konnie Huq said: “I’m so on board with this brilliant campaign. We need to do everything to ensure that all children have access to books. Parents are struggling with home-schooling, but if your child is reading, or you are sharing stories together, that’s literacy covered. The fact that The Sun on Sunday is recycling old books is also brilliant as it gives parents the chance to have a good clear-out.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Books fire a child’s imagination, improve literacy and open doors to new worlds, not to mention the positive impact they can have on mental health. That is why we put such an emphasis on reading in schools and why I support this campaign.”
Dermot O’Leary said: “Reading is so important for children. It encourages empathy, improves learning and offers a chance to escape to the far reaches of our imagination. Some of my fondest memories are of reading with my parents, and it is devastating to think some families across the country don’t have access to books. I wholeheartedly support this campaign to bring stories to families who need them the most.”
The books will be passed on to youngsters who need them most via schools, children’s centres, food banks, refuges and family support teams. Readers can post their old books or send them via a special 70 percent discounted Hermes collection service without leaving their home.
To get involved, readers can either post old books to: Books For Kids, PO Box 485, Grays, Essex RM17 7HY, or send them via Hermes at the reduced cost of £1.99 for a medium-sized box. Readers can follow full step by step instructions here.