Samuel Eto’o joins birthday boy Daniel to launch the campaign
Liverpool City Council is urging residents to give the gift of reading for Christmas.
Everton star Samuel Eto’o has given his backing to a book donation scheme delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council’s City of Readers initiative and Everton in the Community.
The book donation campaign will be kick started by Champions League winner Eto’o on Tuesday 9 December at Gladwys Street Primary School. He will donate copies of his own book, Birth of a Champion, and give his backing to the scheme with the hope that thousands of books will be handed in and distributed to children across the city to improve literacy levels and create a new generation of readers.
Donations of either brand new or second hand books which would appeal to any age, with an emphasis on books aimed at younger people, can be dropped off at six locations:
- Toxteth Annexe
- Central Library
- Norris Green Library
- Childwall Library
- Calderstones Mansion House
- Goodison Park
Everton star listens to one young reader
Councillor Lana Orr, who is the Mayoral Lead for Reading Performance, said: “Sometimes books can get overlooked as presents at Christmas, with children favouring the latest electronic trends or the must-have toy of the moment.
“Getting in to the habit of reading at a young age is massively important – not only does it vastly improve literacy skills but it fires children’s imaginations and makes them more creative individuals.
“We’re hoping that people give generously to this scheme – whether it’s a well-thumbed story in good condition or a completely new book – so that we can engage with as many youngsters as possible and encourage them to make time for reading in their lives.
“I’m delighted such a high-profile star as Samuel Eto’o will be joining us for the launch, and I’m sure his support of the scheme will inspire people, young and old, to get involved.”
The book donation scheme is being organised in partnership with Everton in the Community who are currently delivering a reading project in Gladwys Street Primary School after receiving funding from the City of Readers.
Jackie Twort, from Everton in the Community, said “We are proud to be involved in the City of Readers project. Gwladys Street School is delighted we are supporting them, and the volunteers are so enthusiastic. It is such an easy project to deliver, however the benefits for the children are enormous, and its pleasing to have the football club, and such a high profile player on board. I really feel this project will be a great success.”
Children enjoy reading with Everton FC star
Miss Nicola Booth, head of Gwladys Street School, said: “We are delighted that Everton in the Community have joined with Gwladys Street Community Primary and Nursery School by using football as a tool to excite and stimulate the children to read for pleasure. It supports our school’s aims this year as we continue to create and inspire environments for learning. We know with this partnership the children will develop a love for reading and a lifelong skill.”
City of Readers is a project run by Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Learning Partnership and the Reader Organisation. More information can be found at www.cityofreaders.org or @livcityreaders.
