News
English consultant Nick Wells to fundraise for the National Literacy Trust
9 May 2011
English consultant Nick Wells is fundraising for the National Literacy Trust by taking on an A-Z Children’s Book Reading Challenge.
The challenge, inspired by Michael Gove’s fifty book challenge for schoolchildren, will see Nick read twenty six children's books, i.e. one for each letter of the alphabet, based on the surname of the author. Nick will track his progress on his blog for each book he completes, and aims to raise £260.
Following his decision to turn the challenge into a sponsored event, Nick chose to fundraise for the National Literacy Trust. Nick said:
I chose to fundraise for the National Literacy Trust as, in my role as an English consultant, I have become aware of schools and other organisations who have benefited from your work. I think what you do, in terms of research, guidance and support are incredibly important.”
The act of reading has been central in Nick’s life, illustrated by the photograph on his JustGiving fundraising page of him reading to his daughter at Christmas. About this moment, Nick recalls:
I suppose it [the photo] demonstrates that what my mother did was successful as I'm now continuing the process with my own daughter. We communicate through words, images, signs and symbols. If we are not literate, it becomes much more difficult to access the world and make meaning of our lives.”
As a teacher and consultant, Nick believes that reading for pleasure is an important factor in the development of literacy skills:
If the process of learning the mechanics of reading is not pleasurable in the first instance - either because it is challenging or because it occurs in a very dry manner - then a child may never discover the pleasure of engaging with texts they could love for the rest of their lives.”
According to recent research conducted by The National Literacy Trust, children who read for pleasure are more likely to do better at school.
To support Nick’s fundraising for the National Literacy Trust visit his JustGiving page and his blog to read about his progress.
There are many ways that you, like Nick, can fundraise for us. You can visit our fundraising page to find information and ideas for fundraising events. Alternatively, you can make a regular donation to provide us with a reliable source of income, or make a one-off donation now. For more information, please visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/support.
