Press Release

Celebrity Support for World Book Day

Date March 1st
Time: 10.15am  Press call opportunity
Place: Linden Lodge School, 61 Princes Way
Wimbledon Park, London SW19 6JB

Oscar winning screenwriter, author and actor, Julian Fellowes will be supporting the Rotary Literacy campaign to mark World Book Day on March 1st. The Rotary Literacy campaign seeks to promote awareness of the RNIB Talking Books Service for the visually impaired, and the promotion of reading habits in the sighted adult community via the Rotary Rotating Books project.
 
Julian Fellowes, who is Chairman of RNIB Talking Books Appeal,  will read to three different age groups from three of the ten World Book Day titles at 10.30,10.45, 11.30 and over an informal lunch at 12.15 will talk with the school leavers’ group about his life as an actor/writer. This group will be joined at 12.15 by The Worshipful the Mayor of Wandsworth Councillor Jim Maddan.
Julian said "Books and writing have always played such a vital part in my life and I cannot imagine what it must feel like to be denied the pleasure that reading can bring. This is why RNIB's Talking Book Service is so close to my heart. This crucial work to enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy the wealth of literature available is more than commendable, it is essential.”
 
Linden Lodge School provides a high quality educational experience and support for pupils with a visual impairment or multi-disabled visual impairment which affects their access to learning. The Primary and Secondary Departments cater for children aged three to nineteen.
Helen Wythers,  Resources Manager Linden Lodge School said “We have decided to make a bit of a 'do' of World Book Day this year and are encouraging the students to either come dressed up as their favourite book character or for the older ones to come as mufti. We are also asking parents to donate a book or story tape to our Bring and Buy Book Sale.”

In honour of World Book Day’s tenth anniversary, ten stories by bestselling writers including Anthony Horowitz and Nick Arnold are being produced for children of all ages on World Book Day, 1st March 2007, priced individually at £1. Over thirteen million school children will receive a World Book Day £1 Book Token which can be exchanged for a World Book Day £1 Book between 26 February - 25 March or put towards any book or audio book costing £2.99 or more.

For more information, and to arrange interviews and photos please contact
Judith Diment on 01628 672965 0r 07860 162313 or email Judith@thediments.co.uk