Charity campaign opens new chapter

A CHARITY campaign has been launched that’s set to get the whole of Dublin reading.

This year’s St Michael’s House

‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ campaign will take place from March 1-10.

Broadcaster Miriam O’ Callaghan attended the launch along with St Michael’s House service users.

“I am delighted to support the St Michael’s House

‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ campaign this year,

? said Ms O’Callaghan.

“Setting up a

‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ location in work, at home or in the classroom couldn’t be easier and is a great way to encourage reading.

“I urge as many people as possible to take part in this great initiative to support St Michael’s House in raising funds to provide essential community-based services to people with an intellectual disability.

?

The campaign asks volunteers to set up

‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ locations in their offices, schools, colleges, clubs or homes.

Volunteers contribute their second hand books and purchase books donated by their colleagues, fellow students, friends or family at a cost of

?¬2 per book. The campaign encourages reading for all and all funds raised will go directly to St Michael’s House to help provide services to children and adults with an intellectual disability.

Last year

?¬30,000 was raised and the organisers are aiming to exceed that figure this year.

Barbara Wiseman, head of fundraising at St Michael’s House, said:

“We look forward to welcoming back those who have supported the initiative in the past, and we hope to see some new schools, clubs, families and companies taking part this year too.

“This is a great way for companies to boost morale while participating in a worthwhile CSR programme.

?

A number of pop-up shops will be set up in various venues for the campaign, including Heuston and Connolly stations.

St Michael’s House has also teamed up with Eight Twenty Cabs to provide their customers with free books from February 14 to celebrate the campaign.

Free books will be left in selected Eight Twenty Cabs around the city.

To register your location and receive a starter pack for the campaign: join www.facebook.com/ stmichaelshouse; visit: www.bringabookbuyabook.ie, email: fundraising@smh.ie or phone 01-8840200.