Wexford Schools Urged To Take Part In MS Readathon This November

Primary and secondary schools across County Wexford are being encouraged to sign up for this year's MS Readathon, which takes place throughout November.

Now in its 39th year, the reading challenge aims to encourage children to develop a love of books while raising vital funds for people living with multiple sclerosis.

This year's ambassador is Dublin primary school teacher Keith Byrne, who was diagnosed with MS in 2015.

He believes encouraging children to read for pleasure is more important than ever, particularly amid concerns about declining reading skills internationally.

While Ireland ranks first in the EU for reading among 15-year-olds, OECD research has highlighted a worrying decline in reading performance globally.

Keith says children should be encouraged to read whatever interests them, whether that's novels, comics or audiobooks, without feeling under pressure.

MS Ireland says the annual Readathon not only promotes literacy but also helps fund essential services for more than 11,000 people living with MS across Ireland.

Schools, families and individual readers throughout County Wexford can register free of charge and take part in the sponsored reading challenge throughout November.

Registration is now open at www.msreadathon.ie.