Leisure centres collecting donations to support Children’s Book Project

LEISURE centres in Shropshire are collecting book donations in support of the Children’s Book Project.

Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, which manages Shrewsbury Sports Village, the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre in Shrewsbury, Oswestry Leisure Centre and Market

Drayton Swimming and Fitness Centre, on behalf of Shropshire Council, has announced a second link up with the Children’s Book Project, following a successful collection in 2022 which saw over 1,000 books collected at its centres.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said: “Health and wellbeing is not just about physical fitness and activity but about healthy minds too.

“Having access to a good book and being able to take a few minutes out of our busy lives to read for ourselves, or to read a story to young children, adds to our mental wellbeing.

“This is an excellent opportunity to have a clear out of old books knowing they are going to a really good cause.”

The Children’s Book Project is looking to tackle ‘book poverty’, providing good quality, used books for children under 12 who may not be able to afford a book of their own. This month, the charity will celebrate gifting a million books to children via their Discovery Programme.

Visitors to the leisure centres are being encouraged to drop off donations in special collection boxes at each of the four leisure sites.

Jamie Bryant, partnership manager for Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, added: “The book drive was such a success in 2022, giving us an easy decision to make this year when the Children’s Book Project asked for further support.

“It’s such a worthwhile charity and we are very proud to be partnering with them again in 2023 at our centres.

“Last year’s total is going to be tough to beat, but I’m banking on the generosity of our customers. They delivered in 2022, and I’m confident they’ll do so again.

“If you’re someone with unwanted, good quality children’s books for the under 12s in your home, please pop along to one of our centres, and give the gift of reading.”