As
Middlesbrough FC took on local rivals Sunderland FC in the North East derby on
Sunday 5 November, families at the game were able to choose from a selection of
children’s books to take home and keep.
The book
giveaway was part of Read North East, which is a campaign from the North East
Literacy Forum, led by the National Literacy Trust. The initiative inspires
children and families across the region to share stories together and aims to
improve literacy levels.
The free
books were given out by volunteers from local libraries in the Generation Red
Family Zone at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium. Thanks to a generous
donation from Read North East partner, Penguin Random House, young
Middlesbrough and Sunderland football fans could choose from Mr Tick the Teacher by Allan Ahlberg, The Secrets of Sam and Sam by Susie Day
and Harry and the Dinosaurs have a Happy
Birthday by Ian Whybrow to read with their families at home.
The game was
a great result for home team Middlesbrough, who secured a three-point win against
their local rivals. It was also a success for the Read North East campaign, with
a total of 300 books given away to inspire reading for enjoyment. A huge thanks goes to Middlesbrough libraries for all their hard work!
Middlesbrough FC
has supported the National Literacy Trust’s Middlesbrough Reading Campaign
since its launch in 2013. Players have given out books at schools, supported
our reading ‘selfies’ initiative and helped to turn football fans into reading
fans.
This
weekend’s stadium giveaway follows the first Read North East event at intu Metrocentre in Gateshead, where over
2,000 books were given to North East families for free.
The next opportunity
for families to pick up books will be at on 30 November at the Stockton Sparkles Christmas lights switch on.
Find out more about Read North East.
