18 November 2019
Local charity bringing the power of stories to children at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children highlighted by BBC Children in Need
From boy wizards to bear hunts, the work of a small
Gloucestershire-based charity bringing the much-needed power of
stories to children in hospitals across the UK was highlighted on
this year's BBC's Children in Need Appeal show to millions of
viewers on Friday evening.
Read for Good's resident storytellers and bright-orange mobile
bookcases operate in all 30 of the UK's major children's hospitals,
with brand new books supplied every six weeks to reach some 150,000
ill children and their siblings ever year.
The BBC Children in Need Appeal film features the story of Maisy
(5), who was diagnosed last year with a childhood renal cancer
known as Wilm's tumour. With treatment including
chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, the multiple stays at
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children have been tough for Maisy and
her family.
Read for Good's Chief Executive, Justine Daniels said: "We all
know the power of a good story, but in hospital - for kids like
Maisy - this becomes a super power. Books and stories provide a
much-needed escape out to the wider world when you're a child stuck
in hospital: a little distraction goes a long way and allowing
imagination to flourish is more important than ever. We're
thrilled we were given the opportunity to highlight the remarkable
power of books and storytelling with this very special film
featuring one of our storytellers, Wilf."
BBC Children in Need is part-funding Read for Good's programme
in four hospitals for the next two years: Bristol Royal, Royal
Devon and Exeter, Royal Alexandra in Brighton and Royal Cornwall
Hospital in Truro. Alongside its programme in hospitals, the
Nailsworth-based charity has also motivated millions of children
since 1984 to read for fun through its sponsored Readathon in
schools, with Roald Dahl being a former chair. From running its
Readathon across whole cities like Liverpool, Leicester and
Manchester to boosting school libraries, Read for Good helps busy
schools carve out time to read for fun.
One of the charity's Patrons,Gruffaloauthor Julia Donaldson, was
visiting Stroud Book Festival last weekend and said: "Read for
Good's vital work in schools and hospitals improves the life
chances of children across the UK. It is great that the charity
supports school libraries and that the school children whom
discover the delights of reading are also able to help bring books
and stories to children in hospital. I'm so glad that Read for Good
has had the opportunity to highlight the importance of reading for
children, by appearing on BBC Children in Need's prime-time appeal
show".
The work of Read for Good also featured on an edition of Radio
4's Listening Project in the run up to BBC Children in Need with
nine-year old Eliza talking with her mum, Jenny, about her stays in
Royal Cornwall Hospital and the Read for Good storyteller she met.
'Chocolate or books?' was broadcast on Wednesday 13 and Sunday 17
November, as well as on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on Friday 15
November and is also available on the BBC Sounds app, eventually
becoming a permanent part of a national social history archive in
the British Library.
BBC Children in Need relies on the generosity and creativity of
the thousands of supporters and fundraisers who raise millions of
pounds for the charity every year. To date the UK public has raised
over £1 billion for children and young people facing disadvantage
across the UK.
For more information visit www.readforgood.org
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