Dorothy & Alistair Amery Reader Awards

 

A recent survey found that over 380,000 children in the UK do not own their own book and with your help, at Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, we would like to make this number smaller.

 

You know that books have the power to transform children’s reading skills, enjoyment and mental well-being, as well as raising aspirations and widening participation. When we opened the doors to Bookbugs and Dragon Tales, we wanted this to be at the heart of what we did, as Dan and I are both products of opportunities such as these.

 

Dorothy Amery was a Primary School teacher and English co-ordinator with a huge love of stories and storytelling. Her favourite part of the day was reading stories to the children. She placed enormous value of the importance of reading and the ways in which it can unite and inspire.

 

In 2019 Dorothy sadly passed away and while we did not get the chance to meet her, we were fortunate enough to meet her husband Alistair on the week we opened our doors. Since that day, we have wanted to work together to ensure a legacy of reading among children in her name. Alistair was diagnosed with cancer 3 years later and sadly passed away in February of 2024, surrounded by friends. Alistair made a profound difference to the world and our small part in ensuring their legacy is to continue the readers awards for as long as we are able.

As such, we have renamed the DARA awards to the DAARA awards. We are auctioning some of his art collection to raise money for this years awards but have re-opened this for anyone wishing to contribute

 

So, this is where you come in…

 

As a teacher in my former life, I understand the challenges faced by young people and educators today, with many families ‘Just About Managing’ and despite often working many jobs, not always having enough for extra. The Dorothy and Alistair Amery Reader Awards aims to help support these children through the gift of books and celebration of hard work and achievement.

 

Each year we plan to hold a similar event but to do this we need your support. We would love to be able to support another 30 children next year and for years to come. Of course, the more we raise, the more children will benefit. Imagine if we could reach 300 instead of 30!

When we reach our annual target, nominated children from Norfolk & Suffolk would work for 1 year with us as part of our Review Team. This would mean that we would receive a review of a book, photo of them reading or picture related to the book to display in the shop and in exchange, the child would attend an award ceremony at the shop and the ability to select £50 worth of books for them to take home and keep.

 

Many thanks to everyone who have contributed already to this year, without us even asking. We know money is tight so it has been one of the most wonderful things to have experienced in our bookselling journey to have had people come to us to want to share their love of reading with unknown recipients.

 

Leanne & Dan

 

Bookbugs and Dragon Tales