Free books to children in Ribble Valley thanks to £1,000 donation

The Imagination Library is funded by The Dollywood Foundation UK and community partners and aims to bring free, age-appropriate books every month to children up to the age of five, no matter their financial background. 

Olivia Taylor, a resident at Taylor Wimpey’s Half Penny Meadows development in Clitheroe, became a local partner for the Imagination Library to bring the programme to the Ribble Valley community.

Imagination Library books (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Olivia said: “I’d like to thank Taylor Wimpey for their generous donation to the Imagination Library programme here.

"An early introduction to books before starting school is so important for a child’s education and can have a long-lasting impact on their communication and literacy skills.

“Every penny invested in the Imagination Library is spent directly on the costs of books for children in the local community.

"This means that Taylor Wimpey’s funding will directly impact the lives of children and families in the Ribble Valley.”

Local Partners enrol children from their communities into the programme and are responsible for raising funds to cover the costs of books, postage and packaging.

Providing free books to young children costs just over £2 per child per month, which is £26 per year for twelve books so Taylor Wimpey’s donation is enough to support 38 children with a year’s worth of books.

Sam Evans, Sales and Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey Manchester, said: “We are delighted to provide funding for the Imagination Library to help improve the educational development of children in the Ribble Valley area by encouraging an early love for reading, regardless of their financial background.

“We hope that the 38 children who will receive a book every month for a year from this donation will enjoy the stories they have to tell.”