MS Readathon is nearly here

A READING initiative has been launched to help raise funds for vital services supporting people with Multiple Sclerosis.

The 31st annual MS Readathon will run from October 12 to November 12. The event will open for sign up in September. Visit www.msreadathon.ie for more information.

MS Ireland encourages schools and individual readers at home to sign up and make the campaign another great success.

Ava Battles, chief executive of MS Ireland, expressed gratitude, on behalf of the MS community, for the efforts of young readers in Dublin who took part in last year’s event. 

“The MS Readathon has now reached its 31st year marking a new era for the sponsored reading initiative,” said Ms Battles.

“This is supported by students, teachers and families locally as well as our libraries and bookshops.” 

Ms Battles added: “The 31st MS Readathon will again encourage children to read while also raising vital funds to help people living with Multiple Sclerosis and their families.”

Ireland’s authors and illustrators are great supporters of the MS Readathon each year. They include Sarah Webb, Cecelia Ahern, Oisin McGann, PJ Lynch, Nicola Pierce, Judi Curtin, Alan Early, Matt Griffin, Sheila O’Flanagan, Claudia Carroll, Marisa Mackle and Pauline McLynn. They will share their advice on reading during the campaign.

MS Readathon’s story began in 1988 when the well-loved children’s author Roald Dahl launched the first ever campaign.

More than 9,000 people are living with MS in Ireland, with thousands more family members affected. 

Multiple Sclerosis, meaning ‘many scars’, is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Ireland. 

MS affects the motor, sensory and cognitive functioning of the body and is usually diagnosed between 20 and 40 years of age. 

There is currently no known cause or cure for the condition. 

MS symptoms include impaired mobility and vision, severe fatigue and cognitive difficulties. Three times more women than men are diagnosed with MS.

Young readers can get their reading lists ready by checking the 2018 lists at www.msreadathon.ie featuring great books for kids from the new to the classics.

For participating schools around the country, the 31st MS Readathon will provide:

• Information leaflets, stickers and posters for each class,

• A reading certificate for each participant,

• Many fantastic rewards and prize draws, and

• Up to 10 per cent of funds raised by each participating school may go towards the individual school.