Rt Hon David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, is supporting The Reading Agency’s campaign to encourage all primary school children to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which is the UK’s largest reading for pleasure promotion.

The Summer Reading Challenge is a unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK. Last year the campaign got over 780,000 children borrowing, reading and talking about their favourite books.

Every year the campaign adopts a new theme, and this year the challenge is being delivered in collaboration with The Roald Dahl Literary Estate to help celebrate 100 years of the world’s favourite storyteller.

Mr Evennett attended the Summer Reading Challenge drop-in reception in Parliament on Wednesday 13 July to collect some books to donate to Bexleyheath Central Library today (15 July) for their launch of the campaign. Mr Evennett was joined at the library by the Mayor of Bexley, Cllr Eileen Pallen, and children from Gravel Hill Primary School to watch a performance of Roald Dahl's 'The Twits', which was given by John Kirk.

Mr Evennett commented: “I am delighted to visit the library today to donate some books to this fantastic campaign and see the performance of The Twits. It was also great to see the children so engaged with the project, and I hope they take part over the summer.”

“This is a brilliant campaign which is free, inclusive and makes reading fun. Last year, 4,395 children in Bexley took part and I hope we can increase that number this year to help even more local residents realise what a valuable asset our local libraries are to the community.”