Everton FC

James Beattie presents some of the group with their Reading Certificates

Children's author Penny Dolan inspires the group

An Extra Time student with his free RIF book

Keep it in the family - an Extra Time student enjoys Harry Potter with his Grandad

Recent weeks have seen Extra Time, the Everton FC Study Support Centre, celebrating the achievements of fifty-three children who have participated in the National Literacy Trust and Excellence in Liverpool partnership initiative, Reading is Fundamental.

The Centre has been working in partnership with The National Literacy Trust for over two years who have supported the Centre to provide reading books to primary school children across Liverpool. Recently the Reading is FUNdamental project was extended through additional funding from Excellence in Liverpool to include more primary schools in the project.

Working closely with Liverpool Libraries, Extra Time has been able to provide children with the opportunity to visit their local libraries during February, to work with the libraries children's support services and Centre staff. A great occasion, which saw some children receiving their first ever library card, with glee! Liverpool Libraries were also hugely supportive in providing the Extra Time team with a splendid project loan of a massive 60 books with which to stage their Readathon Event, for World Book Day early in March.

Joanne Hatton, Centre Assistant, pronounced the event a huge success; "It has been great to witness the development in the children's confidence and reading abilities during the Reading is Fundamental project. I would also like to mention the fantastic support from all of the publishers involved, including Random House, Penguin, Harper Collins, Blackwells, and Usborne plus many more."

The achievements of the children and success of the Reading is FUNdamental project's second phase was celebrated in style in the Legends Lounge, at Everton Football Club on 15th March 2005. Extra Time hosted a fantastic Celebration Event, joined by Darren Griffiths, Everton FC Press Officer, player James Beattie, Club Staff, who have been fundamental to the children's' successes this term and Penny Dolan, renowned children's author.

Penny Dolan said, "...Most of all I was so impressed by what all the children were saying: 'I like reading and books now.' And 'Reading's fun!' Any project that gets such vital enthusiasm going is simply a FUNdamentally brilliant idea! Well done, everybody, and happy reading!"

The Celebration Event witnessed the attendance of one of Everton Football Club's very own soon-to-be Reading Champions, James Beattie, who took time out of his busy training schedule to stop by and help the children to celebrate their tremendous achievements by congratulating them on all of their hard work and presenting special Reading Certificates.

All of the children who have participated in the project, from The Trinity, St Hughs' and St. Vincent De Paul's primary schools, joined at Everton Football Club to share the occasion, thus forging new friendships. The event saw the children share their success with parents, carers, mentors and staff from Extra Time and the Libraries supporting them. All children were then presented with their final free books from Darren Griffiths and Penny Dolan.

"The Reading is FUNdamental project was a big success because everybody embraced it with such enthusiasm. The staff at Everton enjoyed reading with the youngsters and it was great that James came along to hand out the certificates on the presentation day. The looks on the faces of the children when I announced that James was the special guest was great to see. It's nice for the parents and the support staff too, when they see a high-profile player give of his time to meet up with the children." Darren Griffiths, Press Officer, Everton FC.

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