PRIMARY schools across the country are being encouraged to sign up for a ScottishPower reading challenge to help raise money for disadvantaged young people.

The ScottishPower Story Swap, now in its third year, invites pupils to swap books with their classmates in exchange for a small donation to charity.  This year the selected charity is Aberlour - an organisation that extends support to over 6000 vulnerable children, young people and families in Scotland each year.

The fun end of term challenge is conducted in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival to celebrate the energy company’s official sponsorship of the festival.

ScottishPower Group Sponsorships Manager, Heather McDonald, said:  “We are delighted to launch the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop for 2011.  The initiative is a fun and environmentally friendly way for youngsters to swap their old books with their classmates whilst raising money for charity.

“We have been really encouraged by the response from primary schools across Scotland over the past two years.  ScottishPower is proud to encourage schoolchildren to develop an awareness of meaningful charitable initiatives like Aberlour, whilst continuing to show its commitment to literacy in schools.

“The Swap Shop is also an effective way of encouraging young children to do their bit to save energy by switching off their computers and televisions and picking up a book.”

To take part in the competition, primary schools are asked to hold a book swap before the end of summer term with pupils donating 50p for every book they want to swap.  All money raised will be donated to Aberlour.

Last year’s winning school, selected at random, was Duloch Primary School in Dunfermline.  The pupils won an exclusive visit from popular children’s author John Fardell – a guest speaker at the 2010 book festival.

Every school that enters the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop in 2011 will be in for a chance of winning a visit from a selected author from this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Sadie McKinlay, Sponsorship and Development Manager at the Edinburgh International Book Festival said:  “The ScottishPower Story Swap Shop is a fantastic initiative, encouraging youngsters to read, whilst emphasising the importance of looking out for others less fortunate.

“Over 20,000 children and young people come to the Book Festival in Edinburgh each August, and we are delighted that through ScottishPower’s support we can bring the magic of meeting a famous author to one special primary school.”

Karen McMurrich, Aberlour’s Director of Marketing, Fundraising and External Affairs said: “We are delighted to be the official charity partner of the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop in 2011.

“Aberlour works across Scotland, reaching out to children and young people who need care and support to achieve their potential and to live safe, fulfilling lives.  We look forward to working in partnership with ScottishPower on the Swap Shop  programme.”

If you would like to register your school to take part in the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop please contact Susanne Grant at The BIG Partnership on 0141 333 9585 susanne.grant@bigpartnership.co.uk.  Schools should register their interest before Friday, May 13th.

For background on ScottishPower log onto www.scottishpower.com and more details about the Edinburgh International Book Festival visit www.edbookfest.co.uk.

For more information please contact:

Susanne Grant on 0141 333 9585 or Susanne.grant@bigpartnership.co.uk