Schools in North Somerset can win scores of new books for their libraries by holding a sponsored reading event.
The North Somerset Times has teamed up with Usborne to give primary schools the opportunity to win new titles for their pupils.
Sam Goodger, a bookseller with the children’s publisher, has offered to help schools organise sponsored reads.
For every £100 raised, Usborne will donate an extra 10 per cent in free books, for £250 or more the publisher will donate an extra 30 per cent, and if a school raises more than £600 Usborne has agreed to hand over 60 per cent – a staggering £360 worth of books.
The generous offer is part of Usborne’s Ready, Stead Read appeal to promote literacy in the classroom.
Sam, from Usborne, is backing the Times’ Books For Schools campaign to provide a wider variety of books to schools across North Somerset.
She said: “The more your pupils read, the more money will be raised to buy books for your library and classroom, and the more free books your school will earn.
“I will arrange the entire event and can provide sponsorship forms, reading logs personalised to your school, certificates acknowledging each child’s achievement, bookmarks and an explanatory letter to parents, asking for their support.”
The Times launched its Books For Schools campaign at the end of October, to provide vital resources to schools struggling with funding cuts.
Evidence shows reading is key to all subjects and it also helps children develop empathy and social skills, but schools are finding it harder to buy new books due to financial pressures.
People can support our campaign by donating new and second-hand books or gift vouchers.
Yeo Moor Primary School, in Clevedon, was the first school to receive 100 books through our campaign and the Times is keen to give out books to one school each month.
Donations can be taken to the North Somerset Times office, in Weston’s Waterloo Street, Folk Hall, in Portishead, or Clevedon Community Bookshop in Copse Road.
Schools interested in holding a sponsored read can contact Vicky at vicky.angear@archant.co.uk or on 01934 422656.
MORE: Call for businesses to back Books For Schools campaign.
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