The More Community Leisure Trust, which manages Mansfield’s Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre, Oak Tree Leisure Centre and Water Meadows Leisure Complex, has announced a second link-up with the Children’s Book Project, following a successful partnership with the national charity that saw more than 1,000 books collected at its centres during last year’s Great British Book Drive.

The Children’s Book Project is looking to tackle ‘book poverty’, providing good-quality, used books for children under 12 who may not be able to afford a book of their own.  This month, the charity will celebrate gifting 1 million books to children via their Discovery Programme.

Brian Taylor, chair of the trust said: “The book drive was a big success in 2022, giving us an easy decision to make this year when the Children’s Book Project asked for further support. It’s such a worthwhile charity and we are very proud to be partnering with them again in 2023 at our centres.

“Last year’s total is going to be tough to beat, but I’m banking on the generosity of our customers. They delivered in 2022, and I’m confident they’ll do so again.

“We will be hosting the book bins from May 29th until June 9th, so if you’re someone with unwanted, good quality children’s books for the under 12s in your home, please pop along to one of our centres, and give the gift of reading.”

Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams added: “This scheme is a result of the community engagement partnership we have with More Leisure/Serco. So many families visit our fantastic leisure centres, so they are the ideal place to swap books, save money and effectively recycle.

“Donating books is a rewarding feeling. Not only are you reusing and not buying new, but you are also giving the gift of a book to a child, many of whom may never have owned their own book before.

“The right book at that right time could be the spark of a child’s reading journey and help to develop crucial literacy skills they need to succeed at school and in adult life.”

Kirstin Knell, of the Children’s Book Project, said: “After last year’s successful book drive, we are thrilled that once again the teams at Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre, Oak Tree Leisure Centre and Water Meadows Leisure Complex have volunteered to collect preloved books from local families.

“This year more than ever, it is sad that books have become a luxury which so many families cannot afford, so we know the local community will understand the value of sorting through their bookshelves and passing on the books that they’ve enjoyed but are happy to send on new adventures.

“We are so grateful for every book donated and we will make sure that they find new homes with children who own few, if any, books of their own.”

For more information about the work of the Children’s Book Project, visit https://childrensbookproject.co.uk/donate-books/