Local MP Celebrates Success Of Annual Summer Reading Challenge

Local MP and avid reader, Justin Tomlinson has celebrated the success of this year's Summer Reading Challenge in Swindon.

Justin was asked to present prizes to prolific readers from schools in Swindon as part of the Summer Reading Challenge from this year, at an event at North Swindon Library at the Orbital Shopping Park.

The North Swindon MP launches the Summer Reading Challenge every year in Parliament and was thrilled to see more children than ever before sign up to read for fun throughout the Summer.

The Challenge is designed to address the very important concern that during the summer holidays, children can lose gains made in their reading abilities by not reading anything over the break. Through the fun challenge, they can read any book they like and this aids in their progress. Justin has long been a supporter of the challenge, reminding children at the event of his time as a student librarian.

A total of 2,638 children took up the challenge, with 1,596 completing it – an increase of 10% from last year. Over the summer 91,548 children’s books were issued and 701 children joined the library as new members.

For every part of the challenge that is completed, the children received a prize including a medal for completing the challenge. The event last week celebrated the achievements of children who went over and above the challenge by reading even more.

Prizes were donated by local businesses and handed out by Justin, who was joined by Debbie Jackson, the organiser for the challenge in local libraries, and local author & illustrator, Steve Anthony (who was responsible for the very popular ‘Mr. Panda’ books).

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “I wanted to thank all the participating children, the volunteers and the businesses who made the event this evening possible. Congratulations to all the winners! I’ve been a huge supporter of the Summer Reading Challenge since it was first launched and this year’s theme of Mischief Makers (aka Beano) fills me with nostalgic feelings.”