A new era beckons as young readers are being encouraged to sign up to the 31st MS Readathon.
Almost 10,000 young readers are expected to take part in the sponsored reading campaign which helps people with Multiple Sclerosis.
So what is the MS Readathon? It is Ireland’s biggest sponsored reading initiative where young readers raise funds for vital services to help people living with Multiple Sclerosis in local communities.
The organisation is now encouraging schools and home readers to sign up for the event - which this year will run from October 12th until November 12th, 2018.
Jordan Byrne, the 31st MS Readathon ambassador, was diagnosed with MS at 21-years old on New Year’s Day 2015.
She said, “I knew very little about MS at the time. I read some terrible stories. I just didn't know what was going to happen.”
Jordan and her family found the support they needed from MS Ireland.
''Finally, someone understood what I was going through. MS Ireland helped me to meet other people my own age living with MS. Their support made an incredible difference,'' she said.
Almost 9,000 young readers in schools around the country took part last year, reading over 85,000 books in total and raising funds for people with Multiple Sclerosis in their community.
Ireland’s authors and illustrators that support the MS Readathon with advice for young readers include Sarah Webb, Cecelia Ahern, Kieran Crowley, Chris Haughton, Claire Hennessy, Alan Nolan, Judi Curtin, PJ Lynch, and Pauline McLynn.
The #MSReadathon is being launched today. The annual event, now in its 31st year, is Ireland’s biggest sponsored reading initiative. I remember it well from my Primary School days @thejournal_ie is running a poll: How often do you read a book? https://t.co/5dl7QXu0ZM
— Lingo (@lingo_ie) September 5, 2018
As the Readathon launches, Cecelia Ahern says, “books are magical. You are instantly transported to other countries, worlds and planets. You can live inside other character’s minds, see what it’s like to live with another family, you can go on adventures you may only have dreamed of or that are beyond your wildest imaginations. It can distract you from your own worries, it can prepare you and teach you about how you might react in a similar situation to the character.”
The funds raised by the young readers directly support vital services, like the MS Ireland Information Line which enables one-to-one support for those newly diagnosed, physiotherapy and exercise classes to help people with MS remain independent.
If your school wants to join in this year, the 31st MS Readathon will provide:
1. Information leaflets and posters for each class
2. A reading certificate for each participant
3. Many fantastic rewards and prize draws
4. Up to 10% of funds raised by each participating school may go towards the individual school
Young readers can get their reading lists ready by checking the 2018 lists on www.msreadathon.ie.
To find out more please visit www.msreadathon.ie - come on, let's get reading!
