Eto'o starts festive chapter for youngsters

Everton star Samuel Eto’o has given his backing to a book donation scheme delivered in partnership with Everton in the Community and Liverpool City Council’s City of Readers initiative.

The book donation campaign was kick-started by Champions League winner Eto’o when he visited Gwladys Street Primary School to donate copies of his own book, Birth of a Champion, to the appeal.

The Cameroon striker gave his backing to the scheme with the hope that thousands of books will be handed in and distributed to children across the city to improve literacy levels and create a new generation of readers.

During his visit to the school, Eto’o spent his time assisting Year Four and Year Five pupils with their reading practice and they all had the opportunity to read extracts from their favourite books to him. Whilst at Gwladys Street, the Everton star also met key figures behind the City of Readers campaign.

Eto’o said: “As a dad I know how important it is to encourage my children to read; it is one of the most important skills we can pass onto our children and so this was a campaign I really wanted to get behind.

“A scheme like this is so important to help improve reading levels for children in Liverpool and I am thrilled to be invited to launch the campaign and have brought along some of my own books to donate to the appeal.

“I wrote my book because I felt it was important for me to share my experiences as a young boy growing up and I hope that children can take something away from it.”

Donations of either brand new or second hand books which would appeal to any age, with an emphasis on books aimed at younger people, can be dropped off at six locations:

• Toxteth Annexe • Central Library • Norris Green Library • Childwall Library • Calderstones Mansion House • Goodison Park

Councillor Lana Orr, who is the Mayoral Lead for Reading Performance, said: “Sometimes books can get overlooked as presents at Christmas, with children favouring the latest electronic trends or the must-have toy of the moment.

“Getting in to the habit of reading at a young age is massively important – not only does it vastly improve literacy skills but it fires children’s imaginations and makes them more creative individuals.

“We’re hoping that people give generously to this scheme – whether it’s a well-thumbed story in good condition or a completely new book – so that we can engage with as many youngsters as possible and encourage them to make time for reading in their lives.

“I’m delighted such a high-profile star as Samuel Eto’o has joined for the launch, and I’m sure his support of the scheme will inspire people, young and old, to get involved.”

The book donation scheme is being organised in partnership with Everton in the Community who are currently delivering a reading project in Gladwys Street Primary School after receiving funding from the City of Readers.

Jackie Twort, Everton in the Community, said "We are proud to be involved in the City of Readers project. Gwladys Street School is delighted we are supporting them, and the volunteers are so enthusiastic. It is such an easy project to deliver, however the benefits for the children are enormous.”

Miss Nicola Booth, Head of Gwladys Street School, said: "We are delighted that Everton in the Community have joined with Gwladys Street Community Primary and Nursery School by using football as a tool to excite and stimulate the children to read for pleasure.

“It supports our school aims this year as we continue to create and inspire environments for learning. We know with this partnership the children will develop a love for reading and a lifelong skill."

City of Readers is a project run by Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Learning Partnership and the Reader Organisation