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Reading's hot this summer
26 Jul 2007
Imagine going to the library and getting to keep the books you choose. This summer children across the UK will be coming away from libraries and playschemes with books and other reading-related treats thanks to a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and the WHSmith Trust.
The 2007 programme will be launched at an event in a Lambeth library on 26 July. Children will take part in reading-related activities, including a chance to decorate the library, before choosing their free books and receiving a WHSmith goodie bag.
RIF director Viv Bird said: The partnership with WHSmith Trust enables us to help keep children with the most to gain excited about books and reading during the long summer break and beyond.”
Steve Clarke, Commercial Director of WHSmith said,
WHSmith is delighted to be supporting Summer Read again this year. We are committed to promoting literacy and life-long learning and we see our partnership with Reading Is Fundamental, UK as an excellent way to keep children reading and enjoying books during the summer holidays.”
The WHSmith Trust Summer Read 2007 will enable 3,500 children in 17 locations across the UK to choose and keep two free books. These children are targeted as those most likely to benefit from the chance to choose and keep books for themselves. WHSmith staff will be getting involved in distributing books and take part in other fun reading activities with children.
The WHSmith Summer Read is delivered by the National Literacy Trust initiative Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF). RIF p romotes a love of reading among children and young people (aged 0-19) in areas of disadvantage and gives them the chance to choose free books to keep for themselves.
WHSmith Trust is an independent charity that aims to promote literacy and support the local community in which WHSmith staff and customers live and work.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
WHSmith Trust, contact the WHSmith Press Office on 020 7851 8850.
1. About the Summer Read
The WHSmith Trust/Reading Is Fundamental, UK Summer Read began in 2005. It aims to encourage children to enjoy reading over the long summer break. Last year’s project had a very positive effect on children’s reading, with 90 per cent of projects reporting an improvement in children’s attitudes to reading.
Locations of the Summer Read:
- Belfast
- Brent
- Brighton
- Bristol
- Dundee
- Dunstable
- Exeter
- Glasgow
- Lambeth
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Newcastle & Gateshead
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- Stoke
- Swansea
- Swindon
2. About WHSmith Charitable Trust
The WHSmith Charitable Trust is an independent charity (registered charity no. 1013782). The Trust has two principal objectives: to support the local community in which WHSmith staff and customers live and work; and to support education and lifelong learning. The charity plays an important role in enabling WHSmith to be at the heart of the local communities it serves and is an ideal fit with the WHSmith core values and brand.
3. About Reading Is Fundamental, UK
Reading Is Fundamental, UK (RIF) is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust. RIF helps children and young people realise their potential by motivating them to read. Working with trained volunteer coordinators, RIF helps to introduce children to the fun and excitement of reading by allowing them to choose and keep up to three free books a year. www.rif.org.uk
4. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. www.literacytrust.org.uk
