Youngsters invited to reduce their carbon footprint.
SCOTTISHPOWER and Friends of the Earth Scotland are encouraging children across Scotland to swap Nintendos for Narnia in a bid to help save the planet.
The environmentally-aware energy company and Scotland's leading environmental charity launched the sponsored reading challenge "Read for the Future" today to mark International Children's Book Day (2nd April).
The national sponsored-read, which raises funds for Friends of the Earth Scotland, is now in its fourth year and invites youngsters of primary 7-age to READuce their carbon footprint by ditching computer games for books.
Alison McKean, Head of Environment at ScottishPower, said:
"We're really proud of Read for the Future as it's a fun way for youngsters to help READuce their carbon footprint and with International Children's Book Day on April 2nd, it's the perfect time to be encouraging young people to pick up a book.
"Not only can kids delve into a world of extraordinary tales, whether it's with JK Rowling or Jacqueline Wilson, they are also improving their literacy skills and this is really important seeing as a recent league table* proved that Scottish youngsters' reading levels are falling."
"Despite this, a survey completed on children by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), found that kids are a lot less interested in watching TV and would prefer to read, in comparison to four years ago, which is fantastic news."
All sponsorship money will be raised for Friends of the Earth's Green Homes project, to help people cut their energy use, cut climate changing emissions and improve their homes, as well as making sure new houses meet tough energy efficiency standards.
Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:
"We're delighted to be a part of Read for the Future with ScottishPower again this year and believe that Scottish youngsters can play a huge part in the fight against climate change.
"We hope children who take part in this challenge will discover that the brilliant imaginary worlds of literature can be every bit as much fun as the virtual worlds of computer games. And every penny raised in this challenge will go to helping make the real world a better place. So everybody wins!"
More teachers, parents and children than ever before are backing Read for the Future and this year's challenge looks set to be even bigger with the local libraries across Scotland lending their support for the first time.
Alison McKean added:
"With every town having a local library nearby with free access to a wealth of novels and expertise from librarians, it's even easier for youngsters to take part in Read for the Future.
"By playing computer games and watching TV, energy is being used and the environment is suffering so by switching these off and reading instead, youngsters can help to READuce their carbon footprint. "
Schools are encouraged to register now and sign up for the eight-week long challenge, which kicks off the at the start of the Autumn term and finishes at the end of Energy Efficiency Week (20th - 26th October 2008).
Last year's individual winner, home-educated Elisabeth Flett from Tayport, Fife, read an astounding 44 books and was presented with £250 Halfords' vouchers, which she used to purchase a brand new scooter. She said:
"Read forthe Future was a great idea and I had lots of fun taking part. My local library did an excellent job in helping me complete the challenge and I was enjoying reading so much that I lost interest in television!"
Read for the Future is open to primary seven pupils throughout Scotland. Schools or individuals interested in taking part should contact Ailie Semple at the BIG partnership on 0141 333 9585 or email
Each school that signs up will receive a Read for the Future information pack containing a sponsorship form, pencil, eraser, bookmark and information on the causes and effects of climate change.
All schools that take part have a chance of winning one of a top range of prizes including:
For the schools that raise the most money:
- 1st prize: S-Cube - a complete renewable energy education tool that explores how wind and solar energy is produced.
- 2nd prize: £250 Dobbies Garden Centre vouchers.
- 3rd prize: £100 book vouchers to top-up your school library.
- Individual prizes for children who read the most books:
- 1st prize: Bike (Halfords vouchers)
- 2nd prize: A family pass for the Glasgow Science Centre OR Our Dynamic Earth
- 3rd prize: £30 book voucher.
- There will also be a mystery prize, which will be awarded to the best performing school and will be announced at the end of the challenge in October.
* Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2006.
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