10,000 Books Donated to Barnardo’s to Promote Reading and Literacy
Key Details:
- Over 10,000 children’s books have been donated by Awesome Books to Barnardo’s stores, allowing children to take home a book for free.
- The book giveaway runs from 6th-8th March 2025, encouraging children to develop a love of reading.
- This is part of a larger initiative to distribute 100,000 books to children who may not have access to books.
World Book Day is an opportunity to celebrate reading and the role it plays in shaping young minds. This year, Awesome Books, a sustainable bookseller, has partnered with Barnardo’s to help children across the UK access books for free.
As part of this initiative, Awesome Books is donating more than 10,000 books to Barnardo’s retail stores. From 6th to 8th March 2025, children visiting any participating Barnardo’s store will have the chance to pick a book of their choice at no cost. This initiative is aimed at encouraging reading, especially among children who may not have books at home.
Taskeen Ahmed from Awesome Books expressed the organisation’s goal:
“We want every child to have the chance to experience the magic of reading. Partnering with Barnardo’s allows us to reach children who may not have their own books at home.”
This project is a major step in Awesome Books’ broader commitment to donating 100,000 books to children in need.
Fostering a Reading Culture
According to research by the National Literacy Trust, children who own books are more likely to develop a love of reading and do better in school. However, one in eleven children in the UK does not have a book at home.
To make books more accessible, this donation includes a variety of genres and reading levels, ensuring that children of different ages can find something enjoyable.
Sonja Green from Barnardo’s highlighted the significance of the initiative:
“Books open up new possibilities. For many children who visit our stores, this might be their first time owning a book. We are excited to collaborate with Awesome Books to make reading more accessible for children across the UK.”
This initiative also aligns with Awesome Books’ commitment to sustainability and literacy, preventing books from going to waste while enriching children’s lives.
Promoting Literacy While Reducing Waste
Awesome Books, based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, handles approximately 300,000 books daily, preventing millions from ending up in landfills. Founded in 2002 by Taskeen Ahmed and his brother, the company has saved over 130 million books by redistributing them to new readers.
At a time when many families face financial pressures, books are often viewed as non-essential. This initiative removes that barrier by providing children with free books and fostering a love of reading, regardless of their economic background.
Awesome Books regularly donates books to various charities, both in the UK and internationally. Their efforts support literacy projects in places such as Ghana, India, and Pakistan, along with local organizations like The Children’s Book Project.
Taskeen Ahmed, CEO of Awesome Books, added:
“This partnership with Barnardo’s aligns with our mission—to connect books with readers who will cherish them. Every book we distribute helps build a more literate society, where reading is accessible to all, regardless of background.”
Sonja Green from Barnardo’s concluded:
“At Barnardo’s, we see firsthand how access to books can positively impact children. This World Book Day, we are thrilled to offer something special to families visiting our stores—a free book that could spark creativity, boost confidence, and develop reading skills.
By extending World Book Day celebrations into the weekend, we ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, has an opportunity to take home a book and start a reading journey. We invite families to visit their local Barnardo’s store between 6th-8th March and help their children pick a book to treasure.”
If you use this story, please credit Awesome Books by linking to their website: (https://www.awesomebooks.com/). Supporting their work allows them to continue running literacy initiatives and donating books to children in need.
About Awesome Books
Awesome Books is a UK-based sustainable bookseller founded in 2003, focused on reducing waste and promoting literacy. Having rescued over 130 million books from landfills, the company ensures books find new homes instead of being discarded. Their ‘Buy One-Give One’ initiative also supports literacy programs worldwide, helping children gain access to books in various educational settings.
Sources
Children who own books are more likely to enjoy reading and perform better academically: National Literacy Trust: Reading
One in eleven children in the UK don’t have a book: Book ownership in 2024
