Lyn Brown MP hosted an event in Parliament last week, attended by more than 50 MPs including Children’s Secretary Ed Balls MP and Universities Secretary John Denham MP to pledge support for Book Aid International, a charity increasing access to books to support literacy, education and development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

 Lyn organised and hosted the reception in the House of Commons, as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management. The event celebrated the success of the 2008 National Year of Reading and promoted Book Aid International’s Reverse Book Club – a scheme that encourages people in the UK to buy vouchers or donate monthly for books to be sent to schools and libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Reverse Book Tokens can be purchased by visiting the Book Aid’s website, www.bookaid.org.

Clive Nettleton, Director of Book Aid International, said:

“We are delighted by the support that we have received from Lyn Brown MP. At Book Aid International, we believe that books do change lives: they are essential for building and maintaining literacy.  Without literacy people can’t access education, health care or employment opportunities or participate in decisions which affect their lives.  That’s why we send over 500,000 carefully selected books a year to some of the poorest countries in the world.”

Lyn said:

“I was delighted to organise and host this second reception on behalf of Book Aid International to promote this extremely worthwhile cause. I believe every person, whether in Britain or the Developing World deserves to have access to books and libraries as they are such an important tool to ensure people reach their full potential.”

“This Christmas I will be buying a number of Reverse Book Tokens as presents for family and friends. I would encourage local people to consider Book Aid International when doing their Christmas shopping this year”.