Peterborough’s sporting stars, dignitaries, performers, local businesses and cultural institutions all rallied together to launch the Peterborough Literacy Campaign on Thursday 20 November during a storytelling and book giveaway tour for children and families across the city.
Stagecoach kindly dedicated a bus to the campaign for the day to fill with 700 books which were given out to children from four schools and three children’s centres on the bus. Peterborough United FC striker, Kyle Vassell and Milan Baranyk and Cameron McGiffin from Peterborough Phantoms, the Mayor and campaign ambassador, Lord Mawhinney helped to hand out books and spread the joy of reading.
440 children were included in storytelling sessions across the city, thanks to local author Guy Bass and staff from Vivacity’s museum and library teams who enthralled children and families with their tales. The Mayor also got involved with the fun by reading Roald Dahl’s ‘Revolting Rhymes’ to Year 3 children at Gladstone Primary School.
Jonathan Douglas, Director at the National Literacy Trust said:
“We are delighted to be working in Peterborough to break intergenerational patterns of low literacy in the city. Partnerships with local businesses, organisations and existing programmes are crucial to support our work with Peterborough City Council and to put literacy top of the agenda.”
Much loved actor, television presenter and local celebrity Warwick Davis supports the launch of the Peterborough Literacy Campaign. Warwick said:
“Learning about the world through reading for enjoyment from a young age and being able to express myself through writing and speaking has been essential for finding a career I love.
As a parent, I know that sharing books with my children is a fantastic way to spend time as a family, so I fully support the Peterborough Literacy Campaign’s vital work in promoting the joy of reading and creating new opportunities for all young people in this city to develop their literacy skills and realise their potential.”