With just three weeks to go until applications to become a World Book Night volunteer for 2015 close, we’ve had well over 7000 entries and expect many thousands more before January 30th. If you haven’t got yours in yet, there’s still time and you can do so here.
In the mean time and to encourage those of you who are yet to apply, we wanted to share some of the brilliant, often moving and simply lovely applications we’ve already received. These are just some of the entries that have inspired us and made us even more excited for World Book Night 2015. Many of them have said exactly how and where they’ll give out their books, and crucially, how they will reach those who don’t regularly read or have access to books.
‘I feel passionately about the benefits of reading and am always sorry to see people who don’t read missing out, especially young males. I would like to introduce books to a centre for homeless young men in Southend-on-Sea. When I went to the HARP centre in Southend last year with my box of books the young adults were at first wary and suspicious of a ‘free book’ but we’re eventually asking to have one. I hope that they went on to read their chosen book and may even have passed them on, although they were told they could keep them. For some of them the book was their only possession.’ – Ann
‘Books are my inspiration and my solace in times of depression. I want to share this joy with others; shake off ideas that reading is boring or irrelevant. Skellig, the fallen unconventional angel is a thought provoking story and is not dauntingly long. I will give the books to the people who use the Breadline breakfast project. Most are homeless and have no access to books. I’ll give the books out at the breakfast club, Breadline, Bread St , Penzance. A warming plate of breakfast and a good book- tempting combination.’ – Alison
‘This year I would like to give books away in the community at the local church centre in my village. This opens up during the week and provides a cooked lunch for ¬£1 for members of the community and is well attended. Many that attend constantly struggle to make ends meet and I am sure that a new book would be a luxury to many of them (all ages attend). I would love to be able to hand them out there during the week of world book night to get people reading that may not do it very often or even have the luxury of being able to. I know that they will appreciate it.’ – Darla
‘I am a volunteer at Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau. Many of our clients have difficult lives & must count every penny. Others are suffering from depression or loneliness. As a child my love of reading helped me through endless rows & my parents messy divorce. You can lose yourself in a book more completely than in a TV programme because imagining the characters is making a world for yourself. I would like to have these books to give to our clients.’ – Joy