Gloucestershire housebuilder donates £127,500 to children's reading charity

A housebuilder with a development in Newent donated £127,500 to charities in the South West last year.

Each year, Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, provides funding for charities and organisations across the region as part of its commitment to create positive legacies in the communities where it builds.

Read for Good in Nailsworth, a charity that motivates children to get into books, received financial help for its Hospitals Programme – a scheme that provides a regular supply of brand new books and storyteller visits to brighten up the days of children and young people in hospital, including Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Children unable to leave their hospital beds can choose books from Read for Good’s specially designed mobile bookcase which wheels right up to their bedside and because they’re brand new, books are safe for those at high risk of infection. 

Justine Daniels, CEO at Read for Good, said: “Each hospital receives 840 brand new books and regular visits from one of our professional storytellers over the year which costs in the region of £15,000. As a charity that receives no statutory funding, we couldn’t be more thankful for the donation from Barratt David Wilson Homes South West. We’re reliant on donations from the public, trusts and foundations and local companies and are fortunate that many schools support our Readathon which gets pupils reading to raise money for children in hospital, many of which are undergoing treatment for a serious illness. 

“The donation has helped fund new books and some of costs of our storytellers who do a brilliant job at transporting them to faraway, mystical places like Narnia, Hogwarts, outer space and under the sea – basically anywhere their imaginations wants to go to give them a short break from where they are. We also want to encourage children’s love of reading – something they can take away when they go home. Being able to supply new books means the world to us and it will make a tangible difference to the children that are in hospital.”

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, added: “We're happy to have helped so many charities over the past year. The dedicated efforts of these organisations that enhance the wellbeing of those in need is inspirational and I hope our donations will allow them to extend their support to even more people in our communities. Our charity drive will continue throughout 2024, along with our dedication to have a positive impact on the lives of those in need."

Every month, each Barratt David Wilson Homes division can donate £1,500 to a local concern that works to improve the quality of life for those living in their area. 

Barratt David Wilson Homes South West is building much new housing at Merlin Gate in Newent.