Big Reading Challenge 2024

Every year, my colleagues at Nottingham City Council and I take on a very special challenge to raise funds for the Nottingham Imagination Library: an amazing scheme that delivers a free book every month to local children from birth up to 5 years of age.

I am delighted to say that, in my final month as Leader of Nottingham City Council, and with support from my colleagues, we will be taking part in the Big Reading Challenge 2024, attempting to read as many stories to as many children as possible in one week: from 22-28 April 2024.

The aim of the Big Reading Challenge 2024 is to raise the funds needed to allow more children in Nottingham to benefit from free monthly books sent to their homes and help with the important task of getting children ready for school.

The Nottingham Imagination Library helps parents and children to enjoy exploring books together. The scheme is proven to raise children’s literacy levels and, by receiving these books, our children are more likely to be ready to start school when they turn five.

More than 10,900 Nottingham children have now received books through the Nottingham Imagination Library, and currently there are more than 5,550 children registered and over 5,350 children in Nottingham have graduated from the Imagination Library scheme. In total, over 500,000 books have been delivered so far, but we want to do more. We need your support to help make this happen.

As a former head teacher myself, supporting children’s reading is a cause really close to my heart. Together, let’s give the children of Nottingham the best start in life.

You can find out more information about the charity at

www.nottinghamimaginationlibrary.com

Thank you for your support,

Best wishes

Councillor David Mellen