This year, the Read with Me Team 10k are once again lacing up their running shoes to improve children’s literacy in Gloucestershire. In our third year running the Gloucester 10k, we’re hoping to be the biggest team at the event – clad in our trusty yellow t-shirts, you won’t be able to miss us!
We’re hoping to reach (and exceed) our fundraising target but we need your help! You can sponsor our team, or if you’re unable to donate, there are plenty of other ways to get involved.
How You Can Support Us:
- Sponsor our Team 10k – We’ve set an ambitious target for ourselves this year! Every donation helps – no matter how big or small. You can donate securely via JustGiving by clicking here.
- Spread the Word – Share our mission across your social media platforms, with friends, family and your local community!
- Join the Team – You don’t need to be an experienced runner to join our team. Plus, there’s still time to get a few practice runs in before the race on the 30th of June! If you’d like to run for Read With Me, please email crystal@readwithme.org.uk.
- Join our Cheer Squad – If running isn’t your forte, you can still play your part by cheering on our runners on race day. Last year the weather was glorious, so why not make a day out of it?
Why Are We Fundraising?
Currently 30% of five-year-olds in the UK are falling behind their expected reading levels; the UK is facing a children’s literacy crisis. Being able to read well is not just an academic skill; it’s a foundational element for future success. Children who are unable to read properly at 7 never really catch up. These children do less well at school, have reduced employment choices, earning opportunities and a greater chance of going to prison. Children who can’t read can’t take advantage of their education or play a full part in society. Fortunately, there are straightforward interventions that can ensure the futures of our talented children aren’t written, or indeed written off, by the age of 7.
What Do We Do?
Read With Me volunteers hear primary school children read twice a week for 10-15 minutes – we provide one-to-one time. This creates discussion which in turn improves social and communication skills and builds confidence. This confidence is vital. We help give those children the building blocks of self-belief.
Now working in over 50 partner schools with a dedicated community of volunteers, we have shown that our reading sessions can change lives by helping children learn to read well. However, the demand for our service is overwhelming and we need to reach even more children. That’s why we need your support to create a brighter future for every child in Gloucestershire!
If you’d like to find out more about becoming a reading volunteering, then please click here.
More Details
The race takes place at 8:30am on the 30th of June, if you’d like to come and cheer us along then let us know you’re coming by emailing crystal@readwithme.org.uk.
We’ll also be sharing stories from our team over the coming weeks. So make sure you follow us across all our social media platforms to follow our journey to 10k!
