Dear Parents and Teachers,

I am pleased to be able to support the MS Readathon - not only does this fantastic event raise money for a great cause, it encourages a love of reading that will hopefully stay with all the participants throughout their lives.

The ability to read is fundamental, not only to being able to participate in school, but to carry out simple everyday tasks in adult life with dignity and independence. Without the ability to read, the opportunities for academic and occupational success are limited.

As a child I was an avid reader and still remember the enjoyment I got from 'cracking a case' with Nancy Drew, or going on an adventure with Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings. This enjoyment of reading has remained with me as an adult and I still love to sit down and lose myself in a good book whenever I get the chance.

I am honoured and delighted to act as a Patron of the MS Readathon. This important initiative has actively encouraged literacy development and an enthusiasm for reading in Australian children over the past 30 years. Last year more than 73,000 Australian children participated in this program, collectively reading more than one million books.

To enter the MS Readathon children read their favourite books in June with friends and family sponsoring the number of books they read. This fosters important parent and school partnerships in the development of literacy. These children aged 7 to 12 years are in the middle years of schooling, a crucial time for literacy development.

Literacy is an important building block for an individual's participation in society and the economy. All Australian students must be encouraged to develop literacy skills as a foundation for educational success.

I commend the MS Readathon to you as a valuable tool in developing literacy skills in our children, while also helping the community to understand and support people living with multiple sclerosis.

Yours sincerely
Julia Gillard

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