Royal recognition for Bookbanks!
Emily with her fellow nominees and Queen Camilla
This March, Bookbanks founder Emily was one of five British “reading heroes” nominated for a new honour from the Queen for their impact on promoting books and literature.
Launched last year, the Queen’s Reading Room Medal recognises people who “champion books and storytelling” across the UK – a profound cause given the current reading crisis (with children’s reading enjoyment falling to the lowest recorded levels) but quite a star-studded event too!
Celia Imrie, David Nicholls, Jojo Moyes, Richard Osman and, of course, Queen Camilla and King Charles III were among the guests.
The judging panel had this to say about Bookbanks:
“Emily found and recognised a need in people who aren’t necessarily considered readers, who may find access to books challenging and accessing libraries intimidating. Reading should be a right: everyone should have a right to read and a right to be fed, and her work with Bookbanks has demonstrated how much nourishment is about mental, emotional and imagination-based needs as much as it is about physical needs. Her work bringing authors to give talks and workshops also shows that the project extends beyond book donations, and that it’s about treating people who are struggling with dignity and respect.”
Emily chats to Queen Camilla
If you’d like to get more involved in Bookbanks’ vital work, here are three ways you can help:
Consider forwarding this email to friends or colleagues and help spread the word.
Might you consider a monthly donation? Pledged income like this is invaluable as we plan our sustained, responsible expansion.
Marathon season is approaching! If you’re considering a sponsored run, or event of any sort, we would be enormously grateful to be picked as your chosen charity. Here is our Just Giving page.
