Boots to Books kicks off in Hull

A Hull-based community initiative is calling on regional employers to support children’s literacy as part of a wider push to improve skills and opportunity.

Business leaders attending a major skills and training event in Hull are being encouraged to bring a book to support the Boots to Books campaign, launched by the Tigers Trust charity. 

The scheme aims to reduce the number of children across Hull and East Yorkshire who do not own a book at home, helping families engage with the National Year of Reading.

Book collection points will be set up at the MKM Stadium during Hull City’s home fixture against Watford, with further donations invited at the next Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (HEY LSIP) employer forum, also hosted at the stadium.

More than 100 employers have already registered for the forum, which will open National Apprenticeship Week with discussions around careers, work experience and workforce challenges. 

Led by Conrad Arnott, primary education manager at the Tigers Trust, the campaign aims to collect 5,000 books for children aged three to 12 ahead of World Book Day, addressing low book ownership levels across Yorkshire and the Humber, particularly among children from low-income households.

He said: “The aim is to increase book ownership among children in the local area by encouraging a love of reading from an early age, supporting families who face financial barriers to accessing books, and engaging the wider community in making a positive, long-term impact on children’s education.”

Hannah Crookes, project lead for HEY LSIP, added: “We invited the Tigers Trust to present to businesses at the next employer forum because we recognise the value of their links with local schools. 

“When we heard about ‘boots to books’ we immediately offered our support.

“Reading for pleasure is closely linked to improved literacy, confidence, wellbeing, and life chances – all of which are hugely important when it comes to helping young people make career choices and prepare for the world of work. 

“We’re expecting more than 100 business leaders at our event and we’ve asked everybody who has registered to bring a book and donate it to the Trust to support a fantastic cause.”

The LSIP forum will take place at the MKM Stadium on Monday, February 9 with registration at 9am for a 9:30am start and optional pitch side tours. 

The proceedings will conclude by 1:00pm and will be followed by a free hot buffet lunch.

To register for the HEY LSIP forum visit the news and events section here.

To find out more about the Tigers Trust click here.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.