In celebration of its 40th year, the MS Readathon has been revamped, with a new interactive website that encourages primary and junior secondary school-aged children to read whatever they like, as much as they can.
Running throughout August, the 2018 MS Readathon aims to raise money to send children who have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) within their family on a special camp to spend quality time together.
Through the new website, teachers can sign up their class or individual students for the challenge, download teaching resources like posters and lesson plans, and book inspirational school visits from an MS Readathon Ambassador.
MS is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system that affects an estimated 25,600 people throughout Australia. It affects more young people than any other chronic neurological condition, with the average age of diagnosis being between 20 to 40 years of age – although children as young as 10 have also been diagnosed.
Multiple Sclerosis Limited spokesperson and Head of Individual Giving, Natasha Duncan, said the MS Readathon empowered children to make a difference through their love of reading and gave them the freedom to indulge in their favourite genres – from fairy tales to sci-fi, thrillers and history.
“Our new website allows children to see what books are popular and being read by others and it also raises funds to support kids in their community affected by MS,” said Natasha. “We are confident these new features will create greater interest in reading books, make it more fun and more social.”
The new MS Readathon website also offers suggested reading lists, allows users to write reviews and encourages them to rate their favourite stories.
To view the new website, please click here.
