Celebrities Help Turn New Leaf on Child Illiteracy with
Free Book Scheme
A radical Social Enterprise is tackling child poverty and
falling literacy rates by giving away free books to children in Yorkshire’s
most deprived regions.
Actor Brian Blessed and bestselling author Joanne Harris, have become Patrons of the Doncaster-based Re-Read as childhood poverty is set to increase. The enterprise is based in the former coal mining community; 22% of Doncaster children currently live below the bread-line.
Re-Read was founded by Jim McLaughlin in 2012. After spending 20 years developing community recycling projects across the UK, Jim was inspired after passing a book dealer with a 10 tonne skip full of discarded books destined for incineration.
Re-Read recycles books which otherwise would have been
burned or gone to landfill. The social
enterprise sells over 60,000 recycled books online and has customers all over
the world, profits from trade allows Re-Read to put much needed books for free
into the hands of low income families, donating 53,000 children’s books to
date.
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| Jim McLauglin |
Jim said: “When I started researching Re-Read, it was
clear low income households weren’t buying books and children in low income
families have low literacy rates. The
cost of a basket of food essentials has gone up by 28% since 2008 but the
average cost of wages has only gone up by 9%. In addition, benefits for low
earning and workless households have been cut. We have all witnessed the rise
of food banks in our communities. Now,
there is a crisis of poor literacy rates for our children. When food takes precedence, often books and
learning fall off the priority list."
In support of Re-Read, Brian Blessed said: “As a Mexborough born lad, I’m delighted to
be Patron of Re-Read and the remarkable work they do putting free books into
children’s hands in some of the most disadvantaged communities. One of the
biggest crimes of deprivation is illiteracy.”
 |
| Brian Blessed |
He added: “Adventure is at the heart of human endeavour,
and I’m a great believer that books can offer us a gateway into a glorious
world of adventures and encourage us to reach for the stars. I have written my
own books, and as an actor brought alive the work of the world’s greatest
writers, and believe there is no greater gift than inspired words. It was unheard of a coal-miner’s son should
go to drama school, but I got the scholarship. I am a living example that with
the right encouragement and access to inspired minds, children can achieve
anything.”
The Institute of Fiscal Studies forecasts an increase in
poverty, with
1 in 3 children in the UK living on poverty by 2020. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates
child poverty costs the UK £29bn a year.*
Re-Read gives books away at children's centres, community
galas and school fetes. One Grandparent
who picked up J R Tolkein's The Hobbit said, "I can't afford to buy books,
even from a charity shop, I remember reading this book to my son. Now, I'm going to read it to my
grandson."
Brian added: “If Re-Read can reach out to just one child
that is something to celebrate, the fact they’ve given tens of thousands of
books to children is a joy. That’s why I’m delighted to be ‘booming for
books’!”
 |
| Joanne Harris |
Joanne Harris, the Barnsley-born bestselling author of
Chocolat, said: "I’m delighted to see the Re-Read scheme doing such good
work to bring books to people who need them.
Books are a marvellous way of linking people, sharing ideas and building
communities. I’m sure it will be a big
success.”
*Statistics from Joseph Rowntree Report:
About Re-Read
Re-Read was established in September 2012 The
organisation has given away 53,000 since 2012 For every tonne of books
recycled/re-used, 0.75 tonnes of CO2 are saved Re-Read has over 60,000 books
for sale online Re-Read also manages Askern Community Library Re-Read also
recycles DVDs, CDs, Video Games and Vinyl Re-Read is a Doncaster based social
enterprise with a passion for books and reading that sells used books, DVDs,
CDs, video games and vinyl to customers all over the world through on-line sales channels such as Amazon
and Alibris or in bulk to wholesalers.
We do this so that we can put free books into the hands and homes of children
living in our local area. Books too worn
out to be re-used are sent for recycling and not into landfill. We welcome donations of books to support our
charitable aims and we also support others by buying charity surplus. Since
2012, Re-Read has given away 50,000 free books and has over 60,000 books for
sale. Re-Read also manages Askern
Community Library.
For more information on Re-Read, please call 01302 728930
or visit www.reread.org.uk or facebook
and twitter @rereaduk For Media Enquiries please contact clair@causeuk.com 07531948014
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