Derbion supports City’s Children’s Book Appeal

Derbion have joined Derby Book Festival’s Children’s Book Appeal and are encouraging shoppers to drop off their pre-loved, gently–used children’s books whilst doing their Christmas shopping over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November.

Books suitable for primary school children can be dropped off at Derbion’s Customer Service Desk,(Ask Derbion), conveniently located in the middle of the shopping centre by Boots during the Mall’s opening hours. Many more local organisations and businesses are getting involved including the University of Derby and Geldards LLB.

Derby Book Festival launched an appeal for donations of children’s books that may be lurking in Derby homes in partnership with business and arts partners, Marketing Derby and QUAD, to coincide withDerby Book Festival’s Autumn Edition, 17th – 19th November.  This follows the success of an appeal in May, resulting in over 800 books donated to local schools and to children who don’t have many books of their own.  The appeal aims to spread a love of books and encourage a new generation of Derby readers.

People can drop off books suitable for primary school children between 14-19th November at locations*in the City centre.  

Sinfin–based primary school, Ashcroft School benefited from May’s Children’s Book Appeal with more than 50 books donated to the school.

Head Teacher, Faith Scott said: “The donated books have had a huge impact on the children and the school. We’ve been using the books as incentives to encourage children to finish their reading scheme levels. Once they have completed a set, the children can choose one of these brilliant books to take home forever. It’s been so successful as a reward for the children after their hard work.

Faith continued, “We’ve also used them during our ‘Read, Achieve, Succeed’ breakfast event where we encourage parents to come into school, share breakfast and read these wonderful books with their own children.

“Finally,” concluded Faith, “so many of our library books look tired – so we’ve used many of the donated books to replenish our library stock  so all our children can benefit. It’s a fantastic idea and aligns with our reuse, recycle agenda too!”

Liz Fothergill CBE, Chair of Derby Book Festival says: “We’re absolutely delighted that Derbion has offered to collect donated books over the Festival weekend. Thousands of people visit Derbion for their shopping, leisure and entertainment and having such a conveniently located drop-off point for book donations is just wonderful. We are all very grateful for Derbion’s support, helping many of Derby’s disadvantaged children develop a love of reading by giving them a book of their own to cherish,” concluded Liz.

There are several ways children’s books can be donated:

*Drop them off with these generous partners:

*Marketing Derby: Derby City Lab, 19-21 St James’s St DE1 1RF

Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th November (12noon to 4pm)

*QUAD, Market Place DE1 3AF  

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th November (10am-8pm)

*Derbion Customer Services Desk (located outside Boots) , Derbion Mall

Saturday 18th November 9am – 7pm

Sunday 19th November 10.30am to 4.30pm

Host your own book donation appeal

Some local businesses have asked to host their own book donation points at the workplace. For more information and a Children’s Book Appeal poster to display at workplaces and community centres contact hello@derbybookfestival.co.uk