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Up for Reading raises thousands

Maisy and CharleySchools and nurseries across the length and breadth of the UK have raised thousands of pounds by taking part in the Trust's Up for Reading campaign.

Children everywhere are Up for Reading!

The Trust has been delighted by response to its Up for Reading campaign. More than 200 schools and nurseries requested the special Up for Reading fundraising pack, and now the sponsorship money is really starting to add up.

The Trust has already received thousands of pounds of vital funding that will support the charity's work to further improve support for young people with Down syndrome, including helping them learn to read.

Many schools chose to run their Up for Reading activities alongside World Book Day on 6th March 2008. Up for Reading has also provided the perfect opportunity for schools and nurseries to celebrate National Year of Reading and also raise money for the Trust'

Up for Reading prize draw results to be announced soon

All of the children returning an Up for Reading sponsorship form are being entered into a prize draw to win either an original Maisy painting signed by Lucy Cousins, their name featured in a Michael Morpurgo book, or runners' up prizes of National Book Tokens.

All schools and nurseries that raised more than £50 in total are also being entered into prize draws for £500 in National Book Tokens.

The lucky winners will be notified by post by 1st May 2008.

About Up for Reading

Up for Reading is a sponsored reading event organised by the Down Syndrome Educational Trust that can be easily completed alongside everyday literacy activities at nursery, school or home.

Quentin Blake reading illustrationSupported by favourite children's character Maisy Mouse and leading authors and illustrators, Lucy Cousins, Michael Morpurgo, Quentin Blake and Justin Somper, the Up for Reading campaign also supports the Trust's work to improve development and education for people with Down syndrome everywhere.

Up for Reading simply involves encouraging children to read for just a few minutes every day for one week and asking family and friends to sponsor their efforts. Children can read or listen to books in a group or by themselves, at school or at home.

The Up for Reading campaign promotes the benefits of reading and literacy for all children, including children with Down syndrome, as well as raising money for The Down Syndrome Educational Trust's work.

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