Bookmarx Bookshop

NE and The Maltings Pub in South Shields have teamed up with Victoria, from Bookmarx Bookshop - a treasure trove of Usborne books, in the hope of getting more children away from their tablets and computers and back into books.

After the recent success of World Book Day, it would be wonderful to keep the younger generation interested in reading and also incorporate some exercise along the way and Bookmarx Bookshop has a massive selection of books for children of all ages. From books for the toddlers to enjoy with their family right up to books for young teens, there’s plenty to choose from. Story books, activity books, sticker books, educational books, you name it.

Victoria has set up something called a Community Book Pledge. This is where local businesses can donate books to their local community in several different ways. Every single £1 goes towards the books, so if a business donates £20, then Victoria will pick a selection of books to the value of £20. The business has two options for the books, they can be donated to a local hospital, school, nursery, playgroup or even a charity that would benefit from some new books, or they can donate some books to be hidden around the local area for a child to find and keep - or perhaps re-hide once read and keep the cycle going on and on if they choose. Each book purchased by your business will have your business name attached to the front of the book so that they will know exactly who has kindly donated that book (the books will be wrapped to keep them dry).

Victoria loves reading books with her 1 year old daughter Ava, who is book mad and a big inspiration for her wanting to make this happen. They are from Sunderland so they are aiming to scatter some books all around Fulwell, Roker, Seaburn, Whitburn and parts of Monkwearmouth, saying “if anyone has any good suggestions of places then please let me know”. Maltings in South Shields, where NE’s Wayne runs a Quiz night on a Wednesday and a Sunday night. Now each month the Maltings pick a local charity to support and for April they have decided to take part in the Community Book Pledge with the aim to donate books to South Tyneside Hospital and also a selection to be hidden around South Shields in the hope of spreading some joy to the local children.

So if you would like to make a pledge you can get in touch with Victoria through her facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/groups/630115228081979 or anyone can make a donation on the Go Fund Me page to either add some money to the pot or to donate and choose how you would like your donation to be used. https://gofund.me/8694dc14