For the second year running, our All You Read is Love festive campaign has seen us donating nearly £10,000 worth of books to children and young people across the region.
Paul, our CEO, had this to say on the campaign:
“2020 was the craziest year and with the usual Christmas parties being cancelled due to the pandemic, we chose to spend our money instead on giving back to the community, and finding a way of bringing some festive cheer to those who need it most – kids. Again in 2021, rather than buying gifts, we asked our clients and partners to share the books that inspired them when they were young, and we bought them on their behalf. Everyone has fallen in love with the campaign and really got behind it. So many friends, clients and partners have also contributed to the campaign – it’s been brilliant.
“For many families, Christmas is the hardest time of year, and while the world is beginning to return to some form of normal, we know that so many children and young people will have still struggled over the festive season.
“There’s nothing better than getting lost in a great story, so we can’t think of a better way to help make Christmas that little bit more magical for those in need. We were so overwhelmed by the response we received to the campaign in 2020, and 2021 saw us being able to donate even more. Thanks so much to everyone who has been so generous.”
As well as donating books to charity, we made the majority of our purchases from regional independent stores, and encouraging donors to do so too, helping to support our much-loved high streets. The campaign also focused on supporting emerging, new writers, as well as those from underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ+ and BAME authors. Each book included a handwritten message for the recipient, including who their book was chosen by, and why.
All you read is love will return in November, 2022.