This summer, national charity Calibre Audio is challenging people across the country to read five books in eight weeks to help spread the love of books to everyone who is print disabled. The Calibre Summer Reading Challenge runs from 25th July to 16th September and the challenge is to make one of the five books something you wouldn't normally read - and to raise funds to support the charity to provide free audiobooks for those who find reading print difficult.

Announcing the Summer Reading Challenge, Calibre volunteer narrator and Actress, Kim Ismay, star of West-End shows including Mamma Mia, Wicked and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang said:

"As a narrator of Calibre's audiobooks, I know they can make a huge difference. It's not exaggerating to say that sometimes they completely transform the lives of people who aren't able to read for themselves, opening up the world of books, and providing purpose, companionship and topics of conversation."

Adults and children can take part in the challenge using either audiobooks or printed books. So whether you are a keen or reluctant reader, there is no excuse not to get reading and listening this summer and make a difference.

Calibre Audio has a collection of over 13,500 books available free of charge to anyone who finds it difficult to read print. This might be because of a visual impairment, a physical or neurological condition, long COVID, or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia. Calibre members can access the books via download or streaming or they can be posted to members homes on USB.

It costs £10 to provide a USB and special postal pouch to send an audiobook to a member and that's without any costs that might be involved in sourcing a commercially recorded book or producing a Calibre-narrated book. All money raised from the Summer Reading Challenge will help the charity expand its collection and send audiobooks to even more members.

Find out more about Calibre Audio at calibreaudio.org.uk.

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