Page turners gear up as MS Readathon begins

THE 2018 MS Readathon is now on, and is celebrating 40 years of raising money for families living with multiple sclerosis.

Students raise money for MS by getting sponsored for reading as much as they can during the month of August.

Top Australian MS Readathon fundraiser Makaira Muscat launched the 2018 event at her school, Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School, in Point Cook.

Celebrating its 40th year, the MS Readathon is a personal crusade for the 10-year-old as her mother, Rebecca, has multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis Limited head of individual giving Natasha Duncan acknowledged the strong support from the school and its students.

“We very much appreciate the efforts of the young readers and their teachers and families that participate each year.

“We’re delighted that students have signed up for the MS Readathon and we would really love more schools to join us.

“The good news is that all kinds of reading counts, even blogs and magazines and this year the more you read, and the more you fundraise, the more you are rewarded.”

MS Readathon ambassador and children’s book expert Lucinda Dodds praised the initiative for influencing kids to make friends with books and develop a reading habit.

“Books can take kids on an adventure, make them laugh and help them learn. It’s a great way to celebrate the enjoyment of reading and the website’s new features make participation in the MS Readathon more fun and more social,” she said.

The new-look MS Readathon offers an interactive website-based challenge to primary and junior secondary school-aged children to read whatever they like, as much as they can during August.

The new website gives children the opportunity to rate and review books as well as collect reward badges online.

Funds raised from the MS Readathon will help children and their family, who are living with multiple sclerosis, attend the special MS Family Camp Program. These camps help families living with multiple sclerosis to spend quality time together, learn more about multiple sclerosis and bond with others who may be sharing their journey.

Participants read as much as possible during the month of August and ask friends and family to sponsor them either online at msreadathon.org.au or by giving a donation. Children can register with their school or individually.