Help Support Cork Safety Alerts – Donate the price of a coffee here via Stripe: https://csalert.ie/donate

Children in Cork receiving healthcare treatments, as well as those living in emergency accommodation and Direct Provision, are among the beneficiaries of over 2,000 books being distributed this Christmas season by Children’s Books Ireland. The national charity has launched its ‘Gift a Book’ appeal, urging the public to help support children in need across Ireland.

Building on the success of last year’s appeal, which raised over €14,000 through public donations, the charity is collaborating with Cork organisations such as Respond, BUMBLEance, and others to ensure children in their services receive books in time for Christmas Day. Titles like The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly and Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde and Karen Harte aim to spark a lifelong love of reading among recipients.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, commented:

“Every child deserves the chance to become a reader and to find joy and comfort in a brilliant book. Together with our partners in Cork, we can ensure children in need have a book to keep and call their own at Christmas.

A book offers a world of possibilities! The gift of a book brings a much-needed moment of happiness, and we want to share that joy with every child in need. Help us to change children’s lives, one book at a time, by donating at www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook.”

The appeal not only ensures children have a gift to open on Christmas Day but also supports literacy development. Studies, including recent research from the National Literacy Trust, highlight the profound impact of book ownership on children’s reading ability, mental wellbeing, and overall development. These outcomes are especially crucial given the 15% rise in the number of children entering emergency accommodation in Ireland over the past year.

Niamh Randall, Director of Strategy and Public Affairs at Respond, added:

“Respond is delighted to work with Children’s Books Ireland this Christmas. Gifting a book to each child gives them the start they need to develop a life-long love of reading. This generous support ensures that every child in our services has a book to read and enjoy this festive season.”

For more information or to donate to the ‘Gift a Book’ appeal, visit www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook.