Readathon at Holy Trinity Primary School, Stratford, raises a magical amount
HUNDREDS of pounds were raised for charity at a 12-hour readathon at Holy Trinity School in Stratford.
The event was organised by Year 5 teacher Joseph Frerichs, who is one of 24 non-expert contestants taking part in this year’s Strictly Christmas in Coventry that is raising money for city-based Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
To add to the fundraising efforts for the hospice, which provides palliative and end-of-life care for children up to the age of five and supports their families, Joseph read Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone in one go at Holy Trinity on Saturday.
Joseph decided to do the readathon because “I knew I couldn’t run a marathon” and completed the first novel of the seven-book Harry Potter series in ten-and-a-half hours after starting at 8am.
While reading, Joseph was helped by a team of volunteers who were selling chocolates and taking donations.
Around £600 was made, bringing Joseph’s overall total so far to more than £1,000.
“The idea came about when I was talking to my colleague Rose (Cottrell – teacher) about what I could do to raise money. I can’t run a marathon so I thought do a marathon read,” Joseph told the Herald.
“I chose Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone because it is one of my favourite books of all time. I set myself 12 hours to finish the book and in the end it took ten-and-a-half hours, so I was finished by 6.30pm.
“Even when people were not listening to me I carried on reading but thankfully that did not happen on too many occasions.
“I did have the occasional break but overall around £600 was raised.”
Joseph is now looking to host a glitter day at the school to further add to the Strictly Christmas coffers. The collective target of £45,000 has already been reached, so the goalposts have been moved to £60,000.
Head over to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Joseph-Frerichs to donate.
