The BIG Read’

Emdad Rahman

IF Charity call for participants to join ‘The BIG Read’, a world record attempt for the most children reading with an adult.

Up to 5,000 participants are needed to break a Guinness World Record by listening to an adult read a classic by Roald Dahl on World Book Day. On the 4th March 2010 local schools, teachers, parents, pupils, celebrities and councillors are being asked to take part in a day reading aloud to children from the classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory organised by IF Charity.

The world record attempt, to be held at the London Muslim Centre between 9am and 9pm, is being undertaken to spread the message that literacy is an important empowering tool for young people locally, nationally and internationally.

Ruhul Tarafder, Project Manager for the event said “We need as many people as possible to take part in this and break the record. It’s going to be a really exciting day as it’s not only a chance to get yourself a personal certificate for breaking a world record but you’ll get to hear one of the great children’s classics that is still as popular today as it was when I was at school.”

A number of celebrities and local figures will be taking part in the event including British and Commonwealth boxing champion Anthony Small, George Galloway MP, and the comedian Jeff Mirza.

Tre Azam, businessman and star of the hit BBC show The Apprentice, who will also be taking part in the event, said ‘It is often said that knowledge is power and yet so few are willing to pick up a book after formal education. Through The BIG Read we have the opportunity to inspire ourselves and others to experience the power of literature. I would encourage everyone to take part in what will be another great way to raise money and awareness through the genius of IF. It’s time to put your reading glasses on!’

This campaign is IF’s first working with children and local communities to promote education and literacy in Tower Hamlets, which a report from the Government Office for London ranks as the 3rd most deprived out of the 354 local authorities in England. Previous projects by IF charity have included Gaza 100, a run that broke the world record for the most people running 100 metres in a 12 hour relay, and the IFtaar 10,000 a project which shared food between homeless communities and residents in Tower Hamlets.

Families and schools in the London region can register for the event at www.ifcharity.com