“Reading is dreaming with open eyes.”
06 May 2026
Support Wood Street Mission’s Books Forever appeal and help transform the lives of local children through reading.
Wood Street Mission has launched its Books Forever project to help transform the lives of local children through reading.
Books change lives – books can inspire, encourage imagination and creativity, and help improve reading skills. The charity wants to ensure that children can access books even when their families may be struggling.
As one anonymous reader said: “Reading is dreaming with open eyes”
Our University supports Wood Street Mission through its Purple Pennies scheme. We can support it further by donating books for children affected by poverty in Manchester and Salford and help inspire a love of reading. The charity also accepts cash donations and any items that will help families in need.
How your donations will help
The charity works with local schools to organise Book Roadshow events throughout the year, distributing new free books to children for them to take home and keep. Books are also distributed to the children supported via the charity’s Family Basics project all year round.
Last year, the Books Forever Appeal distributed 14,710 books and supported 2,999 children through its Book Roadshows in local schools.
How to support
Donate brand new books, both fiction and non-fiction, for children aged 0-16 years. This year, the appeal particularly needs books for ages 4-11.
There are lots of quick and easy – and fun – ways to donate at: