People and businesses across the district have rallied to help improve children’s literacy over the school holidays by donating books.

Cambs Times: MP Steve Barclay with some of the books that have been donatedMP Steve Barclay with some of the books that have been donated (Image: Archant)

More than 1,000 books have so far been donated to local MP Steve Barclay’s Read to Succeed campaign, which was launched to run throughout June, and aims to provide a reading book for every Year 4 pupil in the North East Cambs constituency area.

Mr Barclay is confident that with a final push over the next fortnight the target of 1,285 books can be achieved and every pupil will receive a book to read over the summer holidays.

Mr Barclay said: “A specific point raised with me, when I visit schools across the constituency, is that many children fail to make progress during the summer holiday, when they are out of school. Read to Succeed will help to combat this. In the back of every book donated, we will place a library token, which each child can take to their local library and take part in the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.”

Cambs Times: McDonald's at Eye have donated booksMcDonald's at Eye have donated books (Image: Archant)

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read six books throughout the summer holiday and once completed, children will receive a certificate at an awards ceremony.

There are also prizes on offer for the schools with the most children who complete the challenge including: Free screening of The BFG at The Light, Wisbech; free fun swimming session at a local swimming pool PLUS individual winners will win a tour around the Houses or Parliament

On top of this is one child will receive a signed copy of David Walliams’ new book, ‘The World’s Worst Children.’

Cambs Times: Morrisons have donated booksMorrisons have donated books (Image: Archant)

The special copy, signed by David Walliams and the illustrator Tony Ross, has been mixed in amongst all the donated books.

The latest businesses to have donated include: Bulley Davey, Bowsers, Wisbech Morrisons and McDonald’s at Eye.

To donate visit: stevebarclay.net and follow the links to the wishlist which has been specially chosen by teachers and librarians. Pick a book, buy it online and enter Mr Barclay’s constituency office as the delivery address: Cromwell House, Wisbech Road, March. PE15 8EB

Alternatively buy a book and drop it off at the constituency office in March or any of the following donation points: Topping and Company Booksellers, Ely; Etcetera, Wisbech; March Town Council, March; Wisbech Town Council; Whittlesey Town Council; WHSmith, Wisbech; Tesco Extra Wisbech and Tesco, March.