The Big Reading Challenge 2024 will launch on the 22nd April. Every year the Leader of the council Councillor David Mellen and Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Education Councillor Cheryl Barnard along with other councillors take part in the reading week with the aim of raising more money for the Nottingham Imagination Library.
Nottingham Labour have supported the Imagination Library for many years. The charity provides free age-appropriate books from birth up until five years old. This is a key timeframe for promoting child literacy and fostering a love of reading for Nottingham’s children.
In 2019 one of our election promises was to provide books for 10,000 Nottingham children. We have achieved and beaten this target, in the process giving out more than 500,000 books to Nottingham children. In 2023 we promised to increase this by giving books to 2,000 more children a month. Through our fundraising and working in partnership with Nottingham Rotary Club, ‘Small Steps, Big Changes’ and various businesses, as well as lots of individual sponsors, we have sustained this charity in Nottingham. Donations are key to allowing us to continue the scheme, and to give so many children the gift of books and access to the new worlds, opportunities, and skills gained through reading and literacy. This work is especially vital during the ongoing cost of living crisis caused by the government, a crisis which is affecting so many families in Nottingham.
As part of our fundraising from next week, we will be holding the Big Reading Challenge. Councillor David Mellen will be doing several readings for school children, starting at Nottingham Castle. Councillors will also take part in readings across the city at local schools, which should be fun and engaging events for pupils.
Nottingham Labour recognise how important this work is. Providing for our residents is the core of what we do for the city. This doesn’t just mean providing services like street cleaning and bin collection, it means providing for the future, ensuring that Nottingham children get the start in life they deserve.
Please support the Nottingham Imagination Library here: www.gofundme.com/f/big-reading-challenge-2024