Gift a Book appeal making a welcome return to Cork this Christmas

Fri, 22 Nov, 2024 - 20:42

Amy Campbell

Cork children in emergency accommodation, in direct provision, or receiving treatment in hospitals will receive books this Christmas thanks to Children’s Books Ireland’s Gift a Book appeal.

Some 2,000 titles are available.

Last year’s appeal raised €14,000, and Children’s Books Ireland is working with community groups and charities in Cork to gift children of all ages books such as Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity, by Cork author Leona Forde and illustrated by Karen Harte.

Children’s Books Ireland CEO, Elaina Ryan, said: “Together with our partners in charities and community groups in Cork, we can ensure that the children who need it most have a book to keep and call their own at Christmas.

“We are inundated with requests from charities across the country, who want to bring the magic of Christmas to the children and families in their services. In launching this appeal, we want to help the thousands of children who still need our support.”

Along with providing children with a gift to unwrap on Christmas Day, it is hoped that the books will help children to develop a life-changing love of reading.

Improved reading ability

It is believed that children who have books of their own have improved reading ability and experience positive changes in behaviour, learning, and mental wellbeing. This, combined with an increase in the number of children in Ireland entering emergency accommodation over the past year — where access to books and toys is often limited — highlights the importance of such initiatives.

Niamh Randall, director of strategy and public affairs at Respond, one of the charities benefiting from the appeal, said: “Every festive season, Respond staff work incredibly hard to make Christmas special for the children in our family homeless services.

“We are grateful to Children’s Books Ireland for their support in ensuring that every child has a book to read and enjoy this Christmas.”