To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 4 March, Provident Financial Group (PFG) encouraged  colleagues to donate a book or a book token to disadvantaged pupils of all ages.

Teaming up with our charity partner, School-Home Support (SHS), we made sure that donations reached children in the communities where our main offices are based -  so colleagues were able to select a nominated school nearest their place of work.

Social Impact Programme Manager Cathy Prior said, “Reading is a gift every child deserves. It helps to increase their vocabulary, develop their creativity, learn about the world around them, and shows them how to empathise with others. Books can often be a luxury many families cannot afford for their children. Children living in poverty have been hardest hit during the pandemic and being at home means they have less access to books and learning resources.”

As a result of the campaign, more than 350 books were donated to disadvantaged children as part of our World Book Day celebrations.

Colleagues personally donated 106 books while the business donated another 258 at a cost of around £2,500, and all donations went to schools located near our main offices. The donations have helped bolster reading materials for school libraries, classrooms, and corridors while firing the imagination of pupils.

Head Teacher at Brompton-Westbrook Primary School Sue Mason said,

Our school has been transformed and there is a very contagious new bug going around! It’s nothing to do with the pandemic – it is reading! We have been so very grateful for the wonderful donations of books that we have received. It has made a world of difference and has transformed lives as our children are developing reading as their new favourite pastime!"