Agent has donated over £50,000 worth of children’s books since launching All You Read is Love in 2020 and is hoping 2024 will be the campaign’s biggest year yet.
The North West marketing agency is spreading the gift of reading this Christmas following a concerning report from the National Literacy Trust.
Agent, which has studios in Liverpool and Manchester, launched its All You Read is Love campaign in 2020 and has donated over £50,000 of brand-new books to underprivileged children across the region over the last four years, including works from well-known authors, emerging talent and voices from BAME and LGBTQ+ communities.
Last month, the National Literacy Trust (NLT) published research claiming just one-in-five children read in their free time, and only one-in-three children enjoy reading for pleasure. This data is the lowest on record for the NLT.
“The declining levels of reading enjoyment and reading frequency are, frankly, shocking and dispiriting,” NLT chief executive Jonathan Douglas said.
In collaboration with clients and partners, All You Read is Love is a cherished tradition for Agent. The business has expanded its partnerships with charities, community organisations and schools to ensure donated books reach the young minds who need them most.
For the second year, Agent will continue to receive support and donations from Publiship, a leading logistics provider to the printing and publishing industry with access to more than 2,500 agents worldwide.
As ever, Agent is dedicated to supporting independent booksellers as well as new authors and writers from underrepresented groups, hand-delivering books in time for Christmas!
Paul Corcoran, Agent CEO and founder, said: “All You Read is Love is our favourite part of year at Agent. The campaign embodies the spirit of giving that defines Agent all year round.
“After the concerning research published by the National Literacy Trust, All You Read is Love is more important than ever. There is a real need to put the magic of books into the hands of young people.
“For 2024, we want to share the joy of reading with communities that need it most and make it a Christmas to remember for the children in our regions. And to reach more young people, we are asking north west businesses to get involved too”
If you or your business would like to donate to the campaign, Agent is accepting new books at their Liverpool and Manchester studios. Books need to be sent or delivered no later than December 9, 2024.
