‘Gift A Book’ campaign
Reach children experiencing homelessness in Tipp
“We want to give every child the chance to discover a lifelong love of books, and we need your help.” That’s the call from national charity, Children’s Books Ireland as it calls on the public to support its ‘Gift A Book’ Appeal.
Children’s Books Ireland has committed a starting fund of €10,000, the prize money from their recent National Lottery Good Causes Award, to put books into the hands of children in need this Christmas. In partnership with Irish charities such as Dublin Simon, Novas and Doras, these books are being delivered to children and young people across Ireland who are experiencing homelessness and living in Direct Provision.
Children’s Books Ireland says that while this starting fund will ensure that over a thousand children receive the gift of a book this Christmas, there are thousands more who still need their support. The charity is asking people in Tipperary to match this figure, making this gift go even further in 2024.
Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said: “For many people, Christmas is a time of joy, relaxation and indulgence. But there are approximately 2,440 children living in Emergency Accommodation Centres and almost 4,000 children living in homelessness in Ireland. For these children, Christmas is just another day without basic comforts, let alone luxuries.
“A book cannot put a roof over a child’s head, but it can give them a moment of reprieve from a difficult reality. Reading gives a child the gift of time travel, of magic, of a smile at a silly joke, or a moment of recognition when they see someone like them. In launching this appeal, we want to share this gift with children, and we are so grateful to everyone whose donations will help us to do that.
“We’re calling on everyone to gift a book this Christmas by donating at www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook.”
Tracy Sibanda, Tenancy Sustainment Officer at NOVAS, which will distribute 100 books to children in Tipperary, said: “This Christmas, Novas are working extremely hard to make sure that Santa will arrive to every child that we're supporting. Thank you to Children's Books Ireland – the books that they've donated are really going to make a massive impact to the families and children that we support.”
The big impact of a book
Launching its appeal, Children’s Books Ireland highlighted the transformative impact that reading for fun can have on a child’s development and life chances. Research published by UK charity BookTrust this year found that children who read for pleasure are more likely to:
- Be happier, healthier and experience better mental wellbeing and self-esteem, irrespective of their family backgrounds;
- Overcome socioeconomic equalities such as low family income or educational background. Children who read growing up in poverty are less likely to remain in poverty as adults.