EALING Broadway Shopping Centre has gifted bundles of popular children’s books to support families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Three hundred books have been shared, including Gargantis by Thomas Taylor and Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, along with free activity booklets, based on familiar fictional characters such as Alex Rider, Judy Moody and Maisy Mouse.

Naomi Rattrey, of the Educare Family Support Service in Ealing, said: “It’s been great to receive feedback from so many of our families and their excitement at receiving the activity booklets and brand new books. This has really meant a lot to us.”

The initiative is led by Ealing Broadway’s owner, British Land, and the National Literacy Trust. It follows a long-running partnership to help encourage children to enjoy reading outside of the classroom.

Andrew Rollings, Centre Director at Ealing Broadway, said: “Encouraging children to love to read and giving them access to their own books is so important.”

As part of the initiative, families in Ealing also have free access to virtual storytelling sessions which help to spark a love of stories.