An annual book festival aimed at boosting literacy among children from an under-resourced Edinburgh community has been given a £1,000 boost thanks to a regional builder. Persimmon Homes East Scotland was so impressed with the work of the Craigmillar Literacy Trust that it was chosen to receive a match-funding donation through the builder’s successful Community Champions scheme.
The trust runs a range of programmes to promote literacy, including their flagship event, the Craigmillar Book Festival, to be held in November. The festival, which this year will have the theme LIVE!, will host around 25 interactive author events aimed at sparking a lifelong love of reading.
Xana Marwick, Literacy Programmes Coordinator for the trust, said: “We aim to promote the benefits of literacy, books and reading in the city’s Craigmillar community in a bid to strengthen these essential life skills in an area where there are many barriers to learning.
“The book festival brings the excitement of books and reading to children and teenagers aged four and up, enabling them to meet inspiring authors at free events throughout their community.
“Feedback is always very enthusiastic, and we are delighted that Persimmon Homes has decided to support our work through this donation. We cannot thank them enough as this money will help ensure that around 25 author events will be held during the festival, reaching many hundreds of children – Last year we reached over a 1000 participants.”
Jim Kirkpatrick, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said: “The love of books and reading is something that can give you a lifetime of pleasure and to capture children’s imaginations at such a young age is an amazing achievement.
“We are delighted to be able to donate this money to a worthy cause that makes such a difference to the children in Craigmillar.
“Community Champions gives us the platform to support groups in the community, donating up to £1,000 to two good causes in the region each month.”
Persimmon Homes East Scotland is currently building a range of one, two, three and four bedroom homes at The Willows, Off The Wisp just a mile away from Craigmillar.
To apply for funding, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity or for more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com
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