Family support charity Home-Start Aberdeen is urgently seeking donations of unwanted children’s books and Christmas wrapping paper for its annual book advent.
The charity aims to collect and wrap over 2000 books so that each of the families it supports can read a different book with their children in the 25 days leading up to Christmas.
This year’s book advent has enjoyed support from Scottish Book Trust, which boosted the appeal with an initial donation of 1,000 books and Asda Aberdeen Beach, which has been acting as an additional collection point for donations. Community groups, clubs and associations and individuals have also got behind the initiative. Home-Start Aberdeen is now keen to encourage additional donations before the collection cut-off date on Wednesday, November 11.
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the donations we have received so far,” says Ally Cartwright, trustee, Home-Start Aberdeen. “In just over a week’s time, our teams of staff and volunteers will begin wrapping and distributing the books in earnest, so that each of the families we support has their bundle of books by December 1.
“As you can imagine, it takes a lot of wrapping paper to turn all of the donated books into exciting-looking parcels. We are therefore urging people to consider donating a roll of wrapping paper along with their books.”
2015 marks the second year that Home-Start Aberdeen has organised a book advent. The charity provides vulnerable local families with emotional and practical support in their own homes. Its home visiting volunteers work with referred families to help them access relevant health and welfare services, manage family budgets and nutrition, engage with their own communities and enjoy family life again. Reading together encourages families to bond, as well as helping with literacy, communication and imaginative skills.
Those who wish to support the 2015 book advent can drop off their donations at Asda Aberdeen Beach and at Home-Start Aberdeen’s charity shop at 101 George Street – opposite John Lewis – up until Wednesday, November 11.