Over £40,000 has been raised to improve reading standards in primary schools with supporters covering over 34,000 miles in the Schoolreaders’ RACE FOR READING campaign.
RACE FOR READING, ran for 80 days from March to June 2021, aiming to collectively cover 25,000 miles by running, swimming, walking or cycling to virtually circumnavigate the globe.
Schoolreaders is a children’s literacy charity, which places committed volunteers in primary schools to provide one-to-one reading sessions with children aiding their fluency, comprehension and reading enjoyment and is already partnering with over 10% of the nation’s primary schools, with a particular focus on reaching those in deprived areas.
The campaign was championed by British explorer and author, Levison Wood who commented:
Education is crucial to the nation’s wellbeing and future life chances. The devastating effects of Covid lockdowns has set some children back significantly – especially in the Early Years – and there has never been a more critical time to foster a love of reading. I’m in awe of all those people who gave up their time to explore how far they could race for Schoolreaders – thank you all so much!
Some individual RACE FOR READERS achieved incredible feats to improve literacy! This included one fundraiser who ran a staggering 26 marathons in 38 days and an 8-year-old girl who, not only walked an amazing 130 miles and raised over £1,300 through sponsorship but has also given talks about Schoolreaders and the importance of reading to her local Brownie pack and entire school.
Jane Whitbread, Founder of Schoolreaders commented:
I am extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us circumnavigate the globe or donated to our RACE FOR READING campaign. By going that extra mile, you will help us improve the literacy levels of many more primary school children. There has never been a more important time for our work. Thank you for making a world of difference to so many children’s life chances.
To find out more about volunteering for Schoolreaders or becoming a partner school, please visit: schoolreaders.org.
Image credit: Schoolreaders