Seashell Trust World Book Day pledge

Learning support assistant Emily Ford with Seashell Trust student Erin Gregson

Seashell Trust has launched its community book pledge after celebrating World Book Day.

The charity runs a special school and college in Cheadle Hulme for children and young people with profound physical and learning disabilities, deafness, blindness and autism.

Usborne Children’s Books promises to donate a further £600 of books if Seashell Trust can raise £1,000 from the local community and businesses.

Helen Barrance, Seashell Trust early years teacher, said: “Every student deserves to be able to access books that are relevant, accessible and interesting and to develop a lifelong love of reading and books.

“The book pledge will allow us to make sure our school library meets the needs of all our students.”

As part of World Book Day, Sian Davies, from Fuzzy Duck Books, visited the trust with a special selection of books for the students to enjoy. As many have visual impairment, they particularly enjoy bold picture books and ones with lights and sounds.

There was also a multi-sensory music and story session in the sensory theatre and story-related art activities including weaving a VW Beetle out of willow.

Sian said: “The Usborne Community Book Pledge is a great vehicle for schools and businesses to work together to get more books into the hands of more children.”

To help the charity buy books from their wishlist please find Seashell Trust Virgin Money Giving page and donate with the reference Community Book Pledge or send a cheque to Fundraising, Seashell Trust, Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 6RQ.

For more information on literacy and accessible books visit Seashell Trust’s blog.