To encourage reading and help support children maintain their literacy skills over the summer holidays, Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, is asking local residents to donate new or good quality used books to his annual Kids Book Drive.

The book drive collects and donates books to students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 at local schools.

In its third year, Mr Scully hoped that despite the challenges that this year has presented that people will continue to donate.

“Last year more than 1000 books were collected and donated to students at five local schools, as well as to SAHSSI for families fleeing domestic violence, and hopefully this year will be bigger again.

“Despite everything that has happened this year, the willingness of our local community to get involved and help out others where they can never ceases to amaze me”, he said.

Mr Scully said that the idea for the annual book drive came from discussions with local teachers on ways to help boost and maintain literacy rates and from his own love of books.

“I used to love getting a book every Christmas as a kid. Some kids don’t have lots of books at home or aren’t confident readers, and I hope that having a book to keep and to read will help them”, he said.

Books can be donated until 11 December 2020 at Mr Scully’s office at G2 51 Crown Street, Wollongong, or his office can be contacted to make other arrangements.