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A campaign to inspire young people and their
families from across the Wigan Borough to take an active interest in
reading has proven to be a real Premier League winner.
Twenty children and their families from four schools in Wigan and Leigh
(Leigh Central Primary School, Leigh St. Joseph’s, Britannia Bridge and
Westfield Primary) took part in the initiative organised locally by
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Wigan Council and Wigan Athletic.
Many of the children involved in the project have been encouraged to
read more often thanks to the activities they have taken part in and the
inspiration of Wigan Athletic’s Reading Champion, Matt Jackson.
Matt chose his favourite book ‘Danny Champion of the World’ by Roald
Dahl and at the start of the campaign met all of the children involved
and talked at length about the book and why he enjoyed reading so much.
The families involved also enjoyed a visit to local book store Smiths of
Wigan to choose some free reads for their enjoyment and had two personal
visit to their local libraries by author Tom Palmer.
Matt said, “I am so pleased to hear that the children who were involved
this year got so much out of the campaign. I hope they will continue to
see reading as something to be enjoyed and will continue to read as they
get older.”
The campaign culminated this weekend with all of the families involved
visiting the JJB Stadium for Wigan Athletic’s Premier League fixture
versus Watford. Courtesy of Wigan Athletic all of the families had free
tickets and got to join in the pre-match fun at the JJB kids club at
Robin Park Sports Centre.
Ian Bancroft, Executive Director for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust,
said, “Matt has proven to be a real inspiration this year and the
partnership between the football club, the national bodies involved and
ourselves has been of great benefit. We hope next year’s campaign is as
successful and that those involved this year will continue to read in
their spare time and take advantage of the free facilities available at
their local library.”
Councillors Peter Smith, Chris Ready and Brian Baldwin, who all
supported the campaign, issued a joint statement saying, "We are
delighted with the success of this event and are looking forward to many
more children and families becoming involved over the next few seasons.
This kind of event shows the benefit of the excellent working
relationship Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and Wigan Council have
built with Wigan Athletic".
The Premier League Reading Stars campaign is supported nationally by the
FA Premier League, the Football Foundation, the National Literacy Trust
and Arts Council England.
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NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the
opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active.
It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good
citizenship.
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Councillors, Baldwin, Smith and Ready pitch side with the children at
the Wigan Athletic versus Watford fixture
Matt Jackson meeting children |