This year’s MS Readathon is off to a bang following a bumper number of sign-ups in 2020.
The annual campaign is one of Australia’s longest-running charity initiatives, inspiring kids to read as much as they can throughout August to raise vital funds for the 25,600 Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and their family members.
Children, parents, adults, and schools across the country are encouraged to register and kick start their fundraising efforts. Last year, more than 270,000 books were read by almost 50,000 dedicated Aussies and raising over $4m to fund vital support services.
With sign-ups to the program nearly tripling during the peak of the pandemic in 2020 (47,368 compared to 17,628 in 2019), MS Readathon is hoping the trend for getting stuck into a good book will continue.
Elizabeth Dorizac, Senior Manager, Individual Giving at Multiple Sclerosis Ltd, said: “The latest restrictions may have thrown another curveball to many of us, particularly during the school holidays but we hope preparation for this year’s MS Readathon will provide some light relief for parents, carers and kids alike and inspire Aussies to read as much as possible for a good cause this August!
“This year, we want to beat last year’s incredible fundraising effort and if we are successful in reaching our target, we will be able to give even more Australians living with MS, as well as their families, access to MS Family Camps and Fun Days.”
The camps provide an opportunity for kids who have a parent living with MS to spend quality time with their family, learn more about the condition and bond with other kids who are sharing their journey.
MS is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Unfortunately, there is no known cure therefore MS Readathon is imperative in the fight against the disease in Australia.
“Not only is the Readathon a great way to raise vital funds, but it also encourages young Aussies to jump off social media and dive into a great book. It is a well-known fact that reading is great for kids’ language and personal development, so it really is an initiative that benefits everyone,” Ms Dorizac said.
MS Readathon is encouraging participants to make a self-donation within seven days of registration to receive a complimentary library bag.
Kids, adults and schools are invited to register for the challenge and track their reading tally at www.msreadathon.org.
About MS Readathon
MS Readathon began in 1978 as an initiative to inspire kids to read as much as they can, while raising money for one incredible cause – Multiple Sclerosis. The rules are simple; read whatever you like, as much as you can, throughout the month of August.
For more information: www.msreadathon.org.au