Thousands of books are sent to schools hit by floods
SCHOOL CLASSROOMS and libraries which were devastated in last November’s floods are turning over a new chapter thanks to the donation of 6,000 books.
Literacy campaign Doncaster Stories rallied support from publishers to help a number of schools and educational organisations in the area recover after the town was hit by the worst flood in 100 years.
In total, 12 publishers – ranging from Penguin Random House to Rising Stars – donated thousands of books, which are now being distributed to those that need them most.
One of those to benefit is Castle Hills Primary School, in Scawthorpe, which had appealed for help to restock its library after it was badly damaged in the floods along with a number of classrooms.
Assistant headteacher Neil Harris said: “The floods were devastating for our school, and so much had to be thrown away. We had to get rid of tables, chairs, and around 900 books – some of which had been bought by the teachers.
“This donation is therefore really appreciated, and the wider community have really come together to help our get us back on our feet as quickly as possible.”
The collection was co-ordinated by the National Literacy Trust, which runs the reading project Doncaster Stories, and as a result a donation has also been made to Re-read.
The social enterprise organisation, which distributes secondhand books to children and families across Doncaster, lost more than 100,000 books when its warehouse was flooded.
Mike Leyland, project manager for Doncaster Stories, said: “We know that books have the power to transform children’s reading skills, enjoyment and mental well-being, but our research shows that one in eight children in Doncaster don’t have a book of their own at home.
“This makes the books they access at school all the more important. The community really pulled together after the floods and we wanted to be able to contribute towards these efforts.”