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WH Smith doubles donations for Readcycle 2016
Marie Curie and WH Smith have partnered to launch their second Big Readcycle to help support people living with a terminal illness.
Following the success of last year’s campaign that saw over 30,000 books donated across WH Smith High Street stores, this year’s target has been doubled to 60,000 books.
The scheme works by inviting customers to donate "pre-loved" books at collection points located in WH Smith High Street stores across the country in exchange for a 25% discount voucher to spend on books at any WH Smith High Street store.
Donated books will be sold at the 190 Marie Curie stores in the UK, raising funds for Marie Curie, a charity that provides care, guidance and support to help people with terminal illness and their families. The charity also supplies nurses to provide care in people's homes and in Marie Curie hospices across the UK.
The campaign launches today (2nd June) and will run until 31st August.
Katy Francis, chaplain at Marie Curie’s Newcastle hospice, said: "I would urge everyone to get involved in ‘The Big Readcycle’. It’s a wonderful thing to share a book – if you’ve loved it, or even if you didn’t like it but think that someone else might enjoy it, you get a good feeling from sharing a book with others. Every bit of work we do at Marie Curie depends on donations. I see people’s lives changed here through the work we do and it makes a huge difference. Any books people can donate will help change those lives for the better.”
Marie Curie chief executive, Dr Jane Collins, said: “We’re very excited to be launching ‘The Big Readcycle’ for the second year running and to partner again with WHSmith. Last year’s campaign was a great success with a huge number of pre-loved books donated. This year, we hope to receive even more books which will help us continue to provide care and support for those living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.”
WH Smith books buyer, Kate Escott, added: “WH Smith is delighted to once again take part in ‘The Big Readcycle’ and support such a fantastic cause. We’re really hoping we can encourage more customers to visit our stores, donate their pre-loved books and claim their 25% off vouchers towards a new summer read."
