The 25th MS READaTHON has launched, celebrating 25 years, 350,000 young readers and millions of books read, since the very first MS READaTHON was introduced with well-loved author Roald Dahl. In 1987, the author of stories such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘BFG’ and ‘The Witches’ gave his support to what is now the biggest schools based reading initiative in Ireland.
 
Ambassadors to the 25th MS READaTHON, comedians Maeve Higgins and Fred Cooke, along with presenters Laura Woods, Lorraine Keane and Aidan Power, join 11 year-old Abigail O’Regan to highlight the impact of MS on her mum and 8,000 others in Ireland. Abigail’s mother, Alison, was diagnosed with MS when Abigail was born. She and her eight-year-old sister Kaitlyn will raise awareness of MS and encourage people to sponsor young readers taking part in the MS READaTHON.
 
Schools and libraries around the country have now received entry forms to sign up for the 25th MS READaTHON and the reading period will take place for one month from October 12th to November 12th 2012. This year’s theme, depicted by a red monster, is ‘Hungry for Books’ – the more the young people get reading, the more books they will devour! MS READaTHON is the biggest annual fund raising initiative for MS Ireland the national organisation providing vital services, support and information for people with MS.
 
In 2011, more than 21,000 students in 625 primary and secondary schools, and individually through libraries across the country took part, reading more than half a million books and raising over €730,000 for vital services and support to people with MS. Services like home visits, counselling and physiotherapy.
 
Ava Battles, CEO, MS Ireland commented: “Each year, the launch of MS READaTHON allows us to encourage schools to sign up, but also to take the opportunity to thank the students in schools around Ireland, along with their principals, teachers and parents, for their excellent fundraising. We are delighted to celebrate the 25th birthday of MS READaTHON. In the very first year of MS READaTHON we were honoured to have the support of the much loved author Roald Dahl and we continue to be honoured with the support of, most importantly, young Irish readers along with Irish author’s, celebrities and the generous Irish public.”
 

She continued: “The funds raised during MS READaTHON for people with MS and their families are hugely relied upon to provide vital services and support. At the same time MS READaTHON also encourages children to read more! We know that reading is a fantastic way to escape into wonderful, magical worlds where anything is possible or to learn lots about new and exciting things!”
 
For schools around the country, the 25th MS READaTHON will provide:
 
·       Gifts/certificates for every reader and prizes for readers, teachers, schools and librarians
·       School awards
·       10 percent of the money raised goes back into much needed resources for each participating school
·       The “Great Teacher Holiday draw”
·       The MS READaTHON School Library Award
 
And lots more...
 
To get involved with the 2012 MS READaTHON visit www.msreadathon.ie

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