Thank you to everyone who has made Read for RNIB Day the success that it has been this year - we couldn't have done it without you!
Don't forget to look at our Read for RNIB Day facebook page to find out more about all the events that have taken place around the county.
Here are just a few of the ways you took part in Read for RNIB Day 2012.
Haggeye Youth Forum celebrates
Members of the Haggeye Youth Forum for young people with sight loss, held an event in The JK Rowling Suite, of Edinburgh's five-star Balmoral Hotel, to help highlight the shortage of books available in audio, braille or large print. The suite, Room 552, was where author JK Rowling finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last of the Harry Potter novels. The Haggeye members presented The Balmoral with a framed copy of the Talking Book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, marking both the fifth birthday of Haggeye and the fifth anniversary of the final Harry Potter novel!
Tuesday Berry, one of the Haggeye members said: "I loved reading the Harry Potter novels at the same time as all my friends did, and I was only able to because RNIB had transcribed the books. So on Read for RNIB Day we want to encourage people to support RNIB's Talking Books library so more young people get the chance as we did to enjoy the same books as their sighted peers. It's very important when you're young not to feel excluded from the things all of your friends are talking about and enjoying."
The event got successful coverage in the Herald and the Scotsman, as well as on STV (the early evening news) and on Insight Radio (both live on the Daily Lunch and recorded on Talking Books programmes).
Sensory Tea Party
Volunteer Laura Lennox organised a great Mad Hatter's Sensory Tea Party on Saturday 20 October, with 40 children in attendance. The day included an Alice in Wonderland sponsored walk, scavenger hunt followed by a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The funds raised have broken their £2,000 target! All proceeds will go to RNIB Northern Ireland's Children and Youth Service.
Pop-up shops
'Wonderland' at London Bridge
We are pleased to announce our Wonderland pop-up shop was a huge success! Children's author Sally Gardner and CBBC presenter Ben Hanlin were some of the celebrities who came along to host reading workshops designed to help children discover the thrill of reading. Children from seven schools took part and were able to experience the different senses engaged when enjoying a story - starting with "falling" through the rabbit hole. There were plenty of areas to ponder, to admire curiously, to sniff deeply, or to listen sharply to as stories are told under giant mushroom sound clouds!
Actor Michael Sheen OBE has recorded quotes from well known children's books to be played in Wonderland. He said: "Reading and stories are such an important part of childhood; they're what inspired me to write. It's terrible to think that some people are denied this because they can't see. I heard about RNIB's work and wanted to get involved in Read for RNIB Day. We hope to inspire and encourage people to read and get involved in the campaign."
'Through the Looking Glass' in Salford Quays
A nine day pop-up shop, 'Through the Looking Glass', was also set up to provide a free alternative for keeping the kids entertained over the half term. Children were encouraged to explore the sensory activities, like trying to crack the code with our guide to braille, or taking home complementary Maisy Mouse and Where's Wally Activity sheets. We even had were competitions galore, with one lucky winner who won £50 worth of audio books and a family pass for Beatrix Potter's House!
A fantastic range of brand new children's books as well as new and second-hand adult books of all genres were available at bargain prices, with proceeds helping us change the story for blind and partially sighted people in the community.
Thank you to all who came along, from the Read for RNIB Day team!