Maximize Education, the Morpeth-based provider of alternative education and private evening tuition, has handed over 5,000 children's books to Children North East at the charity's Cowgate Family Hub. The books were gathered during the National Literacy Trust's National Year of Reading 2026 and will now be shared through community projects with babies, children, young people and families who may have limited access to books at home.
The appeal was launched in response to research indicating that children growing up in poverty often have fewer books at home, creating barriers to literacy and educational attainment before they even start school. Collection points were set up at libraries, schools, businesses and Maximize Education's headquarters in Loansdean, Morpeth, and quickly filled with books suitable for all ages.
Local schools, Tesco in Kingston Park and Northumberland libraries met the challenge with an overwhelming response, said CEO Christine Jamieson, who organised the appeal. “We know that not every child grows up surrounded by books and for some families buying books simply isn’t affordable,” she explained. “These donations will put stories into children’s hands, spark imaginations, build confidence and create memories that can last a lifetime.”
Thousands of donations from across Northumberland
Donations poured in from across the county, with collection points at Morpeth Library, Maximize Education, Tesco Extra in Kingston Park, Ashington Library, Blyth Library, Alnwick Library and Bedlington Library. Visitors to the Morpeth Book Festival in March were also invited to contribute, and school children donated more than 3,000 books while libraries collected over 1,500 and Tesco contributed more than 600.
Jamieson said the response showed the generosity of local communities. “The kindness shown by our local communities has been remarkable,” she said. “Schools, libraries, businesses and individuals all came together because they recognised that something as simple as a book can change a child’s future. It’s a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when a community unties behind a common cause.”
Books to be distributed by Children North East
All donations are being distributed through Children North East, a charity delivering services and support to babies, children, young people and families, including mental health support, family interventions, community initiatives and youth peer groups. The charity opened its flagship base in Morpeth in 2025, the first in its 130-year history.
Children North East CEO Leigh Elliot said: “The dedication and generosity shown by the Maximize Education and the local community has been incredible and will make a significant difference to the babies, children, young people and families we work with, helping to support their reading and language development.”
Jamieson added: “We’re also incredibly grateful to Children North East for helping us ensure these books reach the children and families who will benefit from them most. Together, we’ve created something that will have a lasting impact long after the final book has found its new home.”
Wider literacy work
The book collection is part of Maximize Education's commitment to the National Literacy Trust's National Year of Reading 2026, which was launched by Queen Camilla to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds discover the joys of reading. The company also organised a writing competition and distributed more than 2,000 free copies of the winning story across Northumberland, as well as sponsoring a video of the story with downloadable resources.
The success of the appeal, the organisation said, demonstrates the generosity of local communities and the shared belief that every child should have the opportunity to experience the lifelong joy and benefits reading can bring.
Elliot said: “With far too many children growing up without access to books, it is wonderful to be involved in this initiative. We are proud to partner with this organisation and to be part of a campaign that will create lasting benefits for so many across the region.”
Jamieson concluded: “I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who donated. Whether someone gave one book or dozens, every contribution will help a child discover the magic of reading and the opportunity it can create.”
