With the London Marathon being cancelled and as part of the 2.6 Challenge to save the UK's charities we have created our own marathon with our wonderful friend, Bandit (bib number 007). Bandit is a ferret, and poor little guy has no idea that he is running a marathon!  He loves his walks exploring animal holes, chatting to passers by and leaving his scent wherever he goes.. only he can determine how long it will take to complete this marathon. Starting on Sunday he embarked on an expedition with our family - Rosie (14), Poppy (12), my husband Jim and I, through the wilds of Shotover woods just outside Oxford. All money raised will go towards The Children's Book Project who have joined forces with At The Bus to put together a unique lockdown bundle of books and creative resources to be gifted to 10,000 young people aged 3 -11 years in London and Oxford at the beginning of what would have been the summer term.  Their Story & Draw pack has been designed to inspire enjoyment, creativity, escapism and emotional wellbeing amongst children as they navigate the restrictions of lockdown life.

This week book bundles will be gifted to the children of 13 Oxfordshire schools: Rose Hill Primary, John Henry Newman, St Francis Primary, St Philip & St James, St Joseph's, Cherwell Academy, Stephen Freeman, GEMS, Wooton St Peter's Primary, Lark Rise Primary, Bayard's Hill and Willowcraft.  

Books have been donated by Penguin, Little Tiger and by book buying families across the capital.  Art supplies have been donated by Premier Paper, G.F. Smith and Fedrigoni.  Each bundle will include a unique bookmark designed by artist and illustrator Jane Ray.

Anthony Mannix, Head Teacher at a west London primary school noted the impact that packs had last week amongst his community:

“With the help of the Children’s Book Project and AT The Bus we've been able to gift a bundle of books and art materials to every child at our school this week. Many families in our school community live in overcrowded and challenging circumstances. A special delivery has been a source of great excitement in an otherwise uneventful week in lockdown and we've been overwhelmed by messages from children and parents. Some have eagerly absorbed themselves in a good read whilst others have been creative within minutes of the bundle arriving. Parents are delighted to see their children moving away from screens and we have seen a love of reading and drawing reignited.”

Anthony Mannix, Barlby Primary School