PRESS RELEASE – November 2025
Book giving initiative doubles fundraising target
A recently launched initiative which coordinates fundraising to purchase books to gift to local children at Christmas, has doubled its initial fundraising target.
Literacy for Life had the original aim of raising enough funds to buy the equivalent of 1000 books, to be distributed to young people in Staffordshire by working with three charities – Stoke Toy Appeal, Alice Charity and Step-Up Stoke CIC. Following around three months of fundraising through networking events, a social media drive, and word of mouth, the initiative will now gift 2000 books next month. The books have been both gifted directly, and purchased by Literacy for Life using monetary donations.
The initiative is the brainchild of founder Rebecca Winfield from Meir Park, who runs community group, ‘Just another book club’. She says the aim has always been to provide the gift of reading to young people who need it the most in the local area.
“The money we’ve raised has been used to purchase books that will then be distributed to children who may not otherwise have access to reading material beyond school, or receive an individual gift this Christmas. We’ve also received a significant quantity of physical books to share from authors which has completely exceeded our expectations. “As a book club, we naturally have a passion for literacy and sharing the joy of reading. That’s what led us to create Literacy for Life, so we could instigate positive change within our community,” said Rebecca.
“We’re completely ecstatic that we’ve not only managed to meet our initial target, but double it. We couldn’t have asked for a better result in our first year.”
The initiative has received donations from Fenton Glass & Glazing, Soles Foot Care, Moorlands Beauty Salon, Tropic Skincare’s Kim O’Keeffe, as well as local individuals who’ve been keen contribute to the cause. Physical books have been donated by children’s authors from across the country, while the group has also been successful in applying for a microgrant. Children’s author, Brian Frederick, known for the Siggy series of books about a dachshund, donated 320 copies of ‘Siggy Loves Sausages’ as well as a number of plush toys.
Rebecca says Literacy for Life has now established an official collaboration with Brian, which will continue into future years. Reflecting on his donation, Brian added: “Siggy exists as an ambassador for kindness, and he wants to give joy to whoever he meets. “It’s wonderful for me to meet that splendid spirit of kindness here again by working with Literacy for Life. I’m so proud to be a little part of the amazing work they’re doing.”
While Literacy for Life has now beaten its initial fundraising target, Rebecca says there’s still time to donate before Christmas, when all books will have to be individually wrapped and labelled. “For next year, we hope that more local businesses might want to be involved, to help ensure we reach as many children as possible and build on our foundations. Every donation, no matter how small, will help us to make a difference to children in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas.
Meet Us
Bex
The founder and organiser, keeping it all on track and getting everyone moving forward. With a life surrounded by children and books, she has a passion for helping all children discover the joy and wonder that you can find within them!
Janine
Our resident wordsmith. A magazine editor by day, Janine is passionate about the English language and its future, whether that’s reading or writing. She’s a very proud Stokie and keen to give back to her local community.
Sarah
Sarah’s goal is to give children of all ages access to a world of discovery in books, providing escapism, knowledge and adventure!
Clare
As our treasurer, Clare is responsible for monitoring our income, expenditure and producing financial reports. She encourages the love of reading for as many children as possible.
PRESS RELEASE – September 2025
A community book club in Staffordshire is striving to raise funds to help provide the gift of reading to local young people this Christmas. Known as ‘Just another book club’, the group formed during the Covid pandemic to bring like-minded ladies together for monthly meetings. Now, more than three years later, the group wants to give something back to Stoke-on-Trent and its surrounding areas, through fundraising to buy children new books to receive as gifts this Christmas.
By working with three local charities, these books will be distributed to children who may otherwise not have access to reading material beyond school, explained founder, Rebecca Winfield.
“We’ve launched this initiative, known as Literacy for Life, in recognition that one in five children and young people aged 5-18 don’t have a book of their own at home. We want to change that for our community,” she said.
To fundraise, the group – which meets in Tean – is organising a range of events including a wreath making workshop and clothing swap event. It’s also approaching local businesses to garner support. To distribute the books to the children, Literacy for Life is working with Stoke Toy Appeal, Alice Charity and Step-Up Stoke CIC.
So far, Literacy for Life has received donations from Fenton Glass & Glazing, as well as local individuals keen to contribute to the cause. “For those children whose parents might be using foodbanks during the festive period, receiving a present to open on Christmas day should mean a lot.”
“However, it’s more than just a book – it’s an outlet for imagination and creative thinking,” concluded Rebecca.