Providing books for kids in need

A Wetherby businesswoman has launched a scheme to provide books to children receiving free school meals.

Keira Andrews, owner of recently opened bookshop Reading Roots, has launched her Community Roots Fund and is appealing for donations towards the £500 target.

“We are raising money to support local children on free school meals by providing each child with a new book,” said Keira.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The bookshop is not taking any money from these donations, and we will be buying all our books at cost with any money raised, and will donate these books directly to each local school, one at a time.”

Keira, a qualified English teacher, added that reading has many benefits, especially during lockdown.

“Reading is essential in allowing children to increase their vocabulary, literacy skills, and independent learning,” said Keira, who opened her Market Place bookshop in early December.

“Reading has also been proven to lower stress, reduce depression, and provide a form of escapism that has become more and more important with the current climate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In families with low income, children’s books are often not as accessible as they could be.

“With the Community Roots Fund, we hope to assist these families in providing each child with an age-appropiate new book.”

Keira said that she is in talks with local schools to establish numbers and age ranges so that books will suit youngsters.

“Books will be delivered to schools so that they can be handed out along with the free school meals to ensure that the books are reaching the children that need them most,” she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Keira said the opening of her independent book shop had been delayed by the November lockdown but the response since it opened in early December had been fantastic with trade busy in the run up to Christmas, delayed by the November lockdown.

Keira, who is now trading in click and collect from her website, added: “It was a great opportunity to meet lots of the locals and share our enthusiasm for a bookshop finally opening in Wetherby.

“We hope to bring this love of books to our market town with the launch of book clubs, writing groups, author talks, and collaborations with local schools.”

To donate to the Community Roots Fund, go to: https://gofund.me/a50ee1d8

Related topics: