MP Steve Barclay ensures healthy reading habits with hugely successful Read to Succeed campaign

Year 4 pupils from across Health Secretary Steve Barclay’s North East Cambridgeshire constituency were sent home for the summer holidays with a new reading book.

The books were handed out at the end of term to every Year 4 child as part of Mr Barclay’s annual Read to Succeed campaign.

This was the campaign’s eighth year and was this year backed by the Fenland Citizen.

For the first time since Read to Succeed was launched in 2015 donations of £200 were also handed out to every school in the constituency to spend on books for their libraries.

Read to Succeed has raised thousands of pounds and delivered more than 15,000 new books to pupils over the years.

Mr Barclay said: “Reading is such a vital skill and Year 4 is the age at which children often begin to read more independently. I hope the children this year will enjoy the stories and be inspired to explore other genres. Whether reading comic books, fantasy stories or instructive manuals, reading is a joy that every child should experience. It’s a simple pleasure that can educate, inspire or transport you to new places.

“My thanks to all the local businesses, charities, councillors, organisations and individuals who have supported us over the years. Every penny is put to good use.”

Some 37 primary schools will also receive the extra £200 funding to support literacy and encourage reading.

This year’s books were chosen by the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre and include: Ghost by Jason Reynolds, which is part of the New York Times best-selling series; The Incredible Record Smashers by Jenny Pearson; The Unlucky Eleven by Phil Earle, plus Flying Fergus: The Best Birthday Bike; Football Mad; Game Changers; Let’s Play Football; Level Up! Last One Standing; Rugby Academy; Striking out; and Ultimate Cricket Superstars.

The campaign is run alongside the Summer Reading Challenge in libraries, which this year has the theme Ready, Set, Read.