Above & Beyond teamed up with Bristol education charity Ablaze to give books to a school whose library was destroyed by Storm Diana.

Christ Church Junior School in Downend had to throw away hundreds of books in November after torrential rain cascaded through the roof and flooded the library – causing £40,000 of damage.

Ablaze and Above & Beyond have joined forces to give the school copies of Don’t Be Scared – a children’s anthology of short stories and poems.

The book features authors and illustrators including Jacqueline Wilson, Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo, Geraldine McCaughrean, Quentin Blake and more.

On 1 March, the charities made the delivery to the primary school.

Pippa Osbourne, head teacher at the school, said: “I have been so overwhelmed by the level of generosity the community have shown us in the wake of the devastation to our school library.

“Above & Beyond and Ablaze have so kindly contributed to rebuilding our reading hub by this generous donation of books that capture so many of their favourite authors and illustrators in one volume.

“I know there are going to be a huge number of eager readers keen to borrow the books and so I want to thank Above & Beyond and Ablaze for helping keep alive the passion for reading in our school.”

The charities have also made deliveries to other schools in Bristol.

Paul Kearney, Above & Beyond CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be able to help Christ Church Junior School get their library back on track.

“It’s fantastic to be working with Ablaze to give youngsters in Bristol the chance to read this wonderful anthology. I’m sure the book will make an excellent addition to any school library.”

Sally Melvin, Ablaze CEO, said: “Reading is a key skill for all young people so we are very pleased to be involved in getting this fantastic new book into schools. We hope it will inspire more kids to enjoy reading.

 “It’s great to have a free offer for our hardworking and cash stretched schools and to help Christ Church Junior School on the journey to restocking their library in particular!”

---

For more information on Ablaze, visit the website. Banner image copyright of Bristol Post/Bristol Live.