Bord Gáis Energy offers free books for children

BORD Gáis Energy has joined forces with Pippa O’Connor to launch their Little Readers programme.

The initiative, which sees the company give a free book to children aged up to five, is designed to allow parents to share their love of books with their children from an early age and to inspire a genuine love of reading among the children of Ireland.

Reading with children and encouraging their love of books is one of the most important gifts a parent can give to their child.

A love of books not only helps them as they get ready to go to school but also fires their imaginations and sparks curiosity.

As part of this initiative, Bord Gáis Energy will donate e1 for every book donated to the Irish Premature Babies Association, an Irish charity that helps parents of pre-term children.

Speaking about her reading time with one-year-old son Ollie, Pippa said:

“One of my favourite times of day is when I get to read with Ollie.

“Even from a very young age, reading captivates their imagination and it is just really great way to spend quality time with my son.

“I think it’s really important to start reading to children from a young age as it instills in them a lifelong love of reading.

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Highlighting the importance of encouraging a love of reading, Dr Eithne Kennedy, Lecturer in literacy in St Patrick’s College said:

“Reading is critical for success in school and in life, permeates much of what we do every day and contributes so much to a child’s development

“It opens up new worlds, nourishes imagination, creativity, thinking skills general knowledge and vocabulary.

“Shared reading between parent and child is an essential element of making this a reality. Little Readers is a wonderful new initiative by Bord Gáis Energy. It recognises that the development of a love of reading begins well before school.

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Tanya Townsend, sponsorship manager of Bord Gáis Energy said:

“We’re really happy to offer books for our customers to enjoy with their children and to support the important work of the Irish Premature Babies Association.

“We’re firm believers in supporting a love of reading from a young age and hope this gift goes a little way to helping our customers achieve that with their families.

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Books are free for all children whose parents are members of the Bord Gáis Energy Book Club or Bord Gáis Energy Rewards Club.