Boy starts new charity chapter

A BOY from Bolton has raised £1,000 from Amazon through his book for the National Literacy Trust to help children and families who were adversely affected by Covid-19.

Milan Kumar, eight, wrote and published a children’s book on Amazon titled Covid Christmas Parade, about a young boy determined to bring back his town’s festive cheer in light of the pandemic.

When Milan approached the company to explain his fundraising efforts, Amazon donated £1,000 to the National Literacy Trust in his name.

Milan said he donated all the earnings from the book to the Trust. He has also raised more than £3,000 to support other children whose literacy and learning have been most affected by the pandemic.

“I feel proud knowing I have made a difference to the lives of other children because reading promotes health and well-being. I want to help as many children as possible discover the magic of reading and all the great the benefits it comes with,” he said.

During the first lockdown, Milan read 50 books as part of the #FitforLit summer fundraising challenge by the Trust, and his achievements were recognised in a letter from the Duchess of Cornwall.

Over 10 days, Milan cycled 50 laps a day – one lap for every book he read during lockdown – around the University of Bolton Stadium and raised more than £2,000.

He later became a Premier League reading stars ambassador for Bolton Wanderers Football Club.