Politics
Don’t miss your last chance to join in our brilliant Books For Kids campaign
IT IS your last chance to join in our brilliant Books For Kids campaign.
With money tight and schools and libraries shut, children across the country are facing book poverty.
It’s pack to the future for Oliver, Clara and teacher Sandra as they fill boxes with books to be reused[/caption]
That is why The Sun on Sunday has teamed up with BookTrust — the UK’s largest children’s reading charity — for this special project that needs your vital input.
We are calling on you, our army of kind-hearted readers, to send in your old kids’ books, but the deadline to help is noon on Friday, February 19.
Little Oliver Siemiaszko-Pearson has been helping nursery staff collect old books for children missing out on the fun and adventure of storytime. The four-year-old and his pal Clara Brooks Benavides, three, filled boxes at Busy Bees Pre-School Academy in Chiswick, West London, to donate to our campaign.
No matter how ripped or tatty, we can recycle the books and pass on new ones to youngsters who need them the most, via schools, children’s centres, food banks, women’s refuges and family support teams.
Generous Oliver and his pre-school friends were helped by their teacher Sandra Dias, 41.
Busy Bees manager Deena Billings said: “Books can provide escapism for children, whether they’re transported to a magical world before they drift off to sleep or brought laughter on a rainy day.
“It’s been proven that children who are read to early in life are more likely to excel with their numeracy, literacy and language skills.
“That’s why we fully support The Sun on Sunday’s Books For Kids campaign and we encourage parents to donate their old books today.”
Once we receive the old titles, The Sun on Sunday will pay to recycle them before BookTrust begins the free distribution of carefully chosen titles to children and families.
It’s never been more vital to safeguard education – Piers Morgan[/caption]
‘Bedrock of learning’
The new ones being sent are suitable for children up to the age of 13. They are a mixture of fiction, fascinating non-fiction, picture books and graphic novels.
Titles include Billy And The Dragon by Nadia Shireen, Unlocking The Universe by Stephen and Lucy Hawking, Splish, Splash, Ducky! by Lucy Cousins and 100 Things To Know About Saving The Planet, by a collection of authors.
How you can help
YOU can either post your old books or send them via Hermes.
The courier company, which delivers in excess of 630million parcels a year in the UK, has agreed to deliver the packages at the reduced cost of £1.99 for a medium-sized box (66cm x 41cm x 38cm maximum, with maximum weight of 5kg).
Hermes UK CEO Martijn De Lange said: “We are delighted to be supporting The Sun on Sunday and BookTrust by making our nationwide network of local couriers and local ParcelShops and Lockers available to accept these books. This is a fantastic campaign.”
SENDING BY POST
The address to send your old books to is: Books For Kids, PO Box 485, Grays, Essex RM17 7HY.
SENDING BY HERMES
Go to myhermes.co.uk and select “Return A Parcel”. Search for “The Sun on Sunday” and click on The Sun on Sunday logo.
Enter “books” in the order ID field, enter your email address (they need this to send you the postage label) and choose “other” for your reason to return. Choose from ParcelShop drop-off (no printer needed) or courier collection (home printer needed).
Pay the £1.99 via debit card and you will receive an email with details of how to print your label at home (if you have chosen a courier collection).
Or if you have chosen ParcelShop drop-off, take your phone or tablet and your parcel to your nearest Hermes ParcelShop, show the shopkeeper the QR code on the email – and your label can be printed in the shop and attached to your parcel.
Hermes has more than 5,000 ParcelShops and Lockers.
To find your nearest Hermes ParcelShop, just enter your postcode in the Hermes ParcelShop finder on the website – myhermes.co.uk.
Samantha Negbenebor is the founder of Tiny Toes Tiny Feet, a baby bank that helps support mothers and families who are struggling financially. It provides good-quality, “pre-loved” items for children.
She said: “These books will make a difference to families we support.
“Many of the children have had to flee domestic violence situations, leaving their belongings behind. That includes their books and toys.”
So much can be learnt from a story – Giovanna Fletcher[/caption]
Kathryn Leighfield, from The Ely and Caerau Children’s Centre in Cardiff, said: “We want to give a huge thank you to The Sun on Sunday and BookTrust for launching this campaign.”
Piers Morgan applauded our Books For Kids campaign last night.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, who has four children, said: “It has never been more important to safeguard our children’s education with the pandemic causing so much disruption. The absolute bedrock of learning is books.”
Author and I’m A Celeb winner Giovanna Fletcher is passionate about kids having access to books.
The mum of three, who is married to McFly’s Tom Fletcher, said: “So much can be learnt from telling a story, little imaginations going on big adventures and discovering new worlds, cultures and experiences.”
Reading inspired me to learn new skills – Bear Grylls[/caption]
Most read in Fabulous
TV survival expert Bear Grylls knows how vital books are.
The dad of three said: “Reading has allowed me to learn new skills and get inspired. So much of achieving our dreams comes down to those two things. Since having my own children, I understand how important reading is to building sweet memories together.”
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
