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W H Smith reprises campaign with NLT and MCB to gift copies of Marcus Rashford's new book
High street retailer W H Smith is reprising its partnership with The National Literacy Trust (NLT) and Macmillan Children’s Books to gift a free copy of Marcus Rashford’s new book to a disadvantaged child for every copy sold.
Rashford’s new book, You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference, written with Carl Anka, is the follow-up to British Book Award Book of the Year You are a Champion: How to Be The Best You Can Be, both published by Macmillan Children’s Books. W H Smith said the new campaign will raise money to support children’s literacy and "deliver a shared goal to reach every child in the UK that does not own a book”.
It follows the success of last year’s campaign, which delivered more than 30,000 books to disadvantaged children and raised £40,000 for the NLT, with a further 1,500 books given to school libraries.
Gifted copies will be distributed through the NLT’s hubs where staff work to tackle literacy issues in communities at a local level across the UK. Customers will also be able to donate money at any W H Smith High Street store across the UK at the till point or via the chain’s website. All funds raised through these donations will go to the NLT to support the charity’s ongoing work with schools and disadvantaged children in socio-economically deprived areas in the UK.
Rashford said: “For some, books are a privilege. For others, they are a vital escape. Approximately 400,000 children in the UK have never owned a book. Children found in communities like mine who, given the heightened cost of living and the stress that causes within a household, need an escape, and to get lost in imagination. Every child should have the chance to find joy in reading, which is why I’m thrilled to partner with W H Smith again on the release of You Can Do It. It was brilliant to see so many people get involved in the gifting initiative around You are a Champion and hopefully, together, we can continue to make a difference to the children who need us most. A big thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books and The National Literacy Trust for your continued support.”
Lucy Swinburn, head of books at W H Smith added: “At W H Smith, we have championed literacy over many years, and we’re really proud of the response from our customers, colleagues and communities to our campaign, supported by Marcus, to reach every child in the UK that does not own a book of their own. Through our fundraising efforts and book donations with our long-standing partner The National Literacy Trust and Macmillan Children’s Books we’ve reached thousands of children already. However, we know that there is still more to be done to bridge the gap in literacy levels between disadvantaged children and their peers. Through our successful partnership, we’re delighted to be able to reprise our campaign again this year with further book donations and fundraising through our stores and online to continue on our journey to help get every child reading.”
Samantha Smith, publisher for fiction, non-fiction and picture books at Macmillan Children’s Books said: “Marcus’ message of empowerment, community building and positive change has never been more important or urgent and we are so pleased that our partners are making it possible for so many children to access it.”
