Thousands of books being distributed to Wigan readers in food parcels

A Wigan charity is finding a new and imaginative way to spread its love of the written word across the borough during the coronavirus lockdown.

By Andrew Nowell

Published 10th May 2020, 15:45 BST- 1 min read

The Book-Cycle has been giving out novels with food parcels

Book-Cycle is distributing thousands of books to Wigan readers by including them in the food parcels being given out to residents by the council.

The selection of reading material covers a wide variety from lighter page-turners and gripping adventures to some more serious literary classics. All the books come from the charity’s

Wigan warehouse and have been awaiting a place on the shelves of its three venues for some time, so are free of contamination.

Trustee Anthony Melling said: “We’re dropping books off at the hubs and volunteers are putting them in the food parcels.

“People are loving them. It’s random so you can’t specify what book you get, but hopefully people will receive something they enjoy.

“We will be giving away about 10,000 books a week and want to reassure people books are coming from our warehouse and not straight from people’s shelves.”

For more information visit www.book-cycle.org

Wigan