Kensington and Chelsea charity gives children one million books in a year
A children’s reading charity has given away one million books in a single year, with the landmark donation made to a child attending a Fit for Life Youth session in North Kensington. The milestone was reached by the Children’s Book Project, which collects new and gently used books and gets them into the hands of children and families who may otherwise have limited access to books at home.
The work of Children’s Book Project has been supported by Kensington and Chelsea Council, which provided its first dedicated premises on Kensal Road before helping it move to a larger base on Golborne Road as demand increased.
Having more space has allowed the project to handle growing numbers of donated books, from receiving and sorting them through to distributing them to children across the community.
The one-millionth book was chosen by a child at the North Kensington event, where children were able to select books to take home. For 10-year-old Alex, being able to choose a book personally was part of the appeal. Alex also picked out another book for a brother so they could read together.
The achievement comes as the charity continues its wider campaign against book poverty. Its model is straightforward: books that might otherwise remain unused are passed on to children, giving them the opportunity to develop their own collections at home.
Councillor Catherine Faulks, Kensington and Chelsea’s lead member for family and children’s services, said the significance of the milestone went beyond the headline figure, pointing to the difference that having books available at home can make to family reading and bedtime routines.
Children’s Book Project founder and chief executive Liberty Venn said each book represents an opportunity for a child to own something they can read, revisit and share with their family.
The organisation is also encouraging people to support its work by donating books or organising book-giving events in their local communities.
Have books your family no longer needs? Consider donating them to a local organisation that can put them into the hands of children who will enjoy them and follow EyeOnLondon for more local news.
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