Edinburgh-based trust launches appeal to get books to children during library and schools lockdown

AN appeal has been launched to help get books to children and vulnerable families during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The Scottish Book Trust is working with Social Bite and Cyrenians to distribute book parcels along with food to families as part of the RBS foodbank appeal supported by the Evening News.

The trust says school and library closures mean there are at least 13,000 children and families across Scotland who have no books at home or any access to books. It is appealing for donations via its Just Giving page. It says £5 can ensure that a child receives books and fun reading and writing activities.

Trust chief executive Marc Lambert said: “Books make a huge difference to children’s lives. Books fire their imaginations and provide a place to escape from challenging circumstances. Reading together helps families bond. Books are also crucial to children’s learning, and reading for fun supports development across all school subjects.”