ScottishPower has teamed up with Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to launch a fun end of term reading challenge for youngsters across Scotland.

The ScottishPower Story Swap Shop encourages children to recycle their old books by swapping them with their classmates and raising money for environmental projects at the same time.

By taking part in the end of term event, the pupils could also win an author visit to their school to bring one of their favourite reads to life.

ScottishPower Group Sponsorships Manager, Heather McDonald was delighted to unveil the new initiative and is looking for as many schools in Scotland as possible to get involved.

She said:

“For the last few years ScottishPower has run the successful Read for the Future sponsored reading challenge in our primary schools, which over 5,000 youngsters were involved in, raising over £10,000 for Friends of the Earth Scotland.

“We were keen to continue this relationship with the charity and tie in our sponsorship of the Edinburgh International Book Festival to promote our commitment to literacy in schools. Not only will the children raise money for a good cause, they will also learn that saving energy by switching off their computers and picking up a book can be fun as well as educational.”

Schools are invited to hold a book swap shop before the end of summer term, with pupils donating 50p for every book they wish to swap.

The money raised will all go to Friends of the Earth Scotland, which works to promote energy saving and waste reduction.

Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland said:

“We know Scottish youngsters are keen to do their bit to tackle climate change. This scheme is a win-win opportunity for them to cut waste and save energy, by swapping books they no longer want, for ones that can give them many hours more entertainment.

“We are delighted to see ScottishPower maintaining its commitment to save energy by encouraging children to take the low-energy entertainment option of a good old-fashioned book to stimulate their imaginations.”

All schools who enter the ScottishPower Story Swap Shop will be entered into a prize draw and the winning school will receive a visit from an author who will be part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Lois Wolffe, Sponsorship and Development Manager, of the Book Festival said:

“This project combines two of our great passions – books and looking after the environment.  The ScottishPower Story Swap Shop is a great way for kids to share stories and to discover new favourite authors. 

“Over 10,000 schoolchildren come to the Book Festival in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square Gardens each August and we’re delighted that this year, ScottishPower is giving schools a chance to win a visit from a favourite Book Festival author.”

Notes to Editors:

To register to take part in the book swap shop please contact Ashley Stevenson at the BIG Partnership on 0141 333 9585 / 07919577739 ashley.stevenson@bigpartnership.co.uk

For background on ScottishPower log onto www.scottishpower.com and more details about Friends of the Earth Scotland can be found at www.foe-scotland.org.uk. Information on the Edinburgh International Book Festival can be found at www.edbookfest.co.uk.