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Did you know, you can now view an up to date list of students in your school who are involved in this year's MS Readathon?
Simply click here to find out the names of the wonderful students who are helping to raise funds for people living with multiple sclerosis. |
General information
The MS Readathon is a reading-based fundraiser run by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Australia. For more than 30 years, the MS Readathon has encouraged children to read books, learn about multiple sclerosis (MS) and raise funds to help Australians living with MS.
In 2010, the MS Readathon is embarking on a Great Wildlife Adventure and we want as many schools and students to join us as possible! For a period of 30 days during the months of June, July, and August, children can read their choice of literature, and help people with MS.
The MS Readathon would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of wonderful teachers and librarians who volunteer their time to promote the MS Readathon to the students in their school. Our program couldn’t be the success it is without you!! We value and appreciate your hard work and generosity.
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Key Dates for 2010
Registrations open - April
School Visits - April - May
MS Readathon - Any 30 days in June, July or August
Sponsorship due date - 30th September
Rewards delivered - July - October
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Why do we need Parental Confirmation for Registration
The MS Readathon has been supported by millions of Australian parents, children, teachers and schools for over 30 years. In 2009, a lot of children registered without their parents’ involvement and subsequently raised no money to help people with MS. We need to confirm that there is parental involvement in your registration.
Therefore all we ask is for either Mum or Dad to confirm students registrations by:
- Making a donation via credit card. This donation is:
- Tax deductible (and you receive a receipt instantly);
- Added to the child’s eventual sponsorship total;
- Proof for us that an adult accepts responsibility for the Receipt book (which is a legal document); and,
- Fully secure through ‘SecurePay’ and the National Australia Bank.
- Phoning 1300 677 323
Teachers can register students as a team, once parental approval has been received. Only one donation would then be required. We will then send your starter pack and magazine in the mail.
The money we raise to support Australians living with MS is essential and we need to make sure that we do so responsibly.
Thank you for supporting the MS Readathon and the 20,000 Australians who live with MS every day.
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School Visits
Schools can host an MS Readathon School Visit, where a trained presenter speaks to classroom or assembly groups for 5-20 minutes about MS and explains to students how they can help by joining the MS Readathon. You will also receive a Reader Leader Pack.
This year our presentations are based around our Great Wildlife Adventure theme. They are designed to inspire students to come on the wildest reading adventure with us!
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Reader Leaders
We can send you a pack which contains all the information and materials required to promote the MS Readathon, including program details, registration forms, and posters.
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What is involved for schools?
We know just how busy schools and teachers are. That’s why we endeavour to make the program easy to run within schools with as little work as possible for our valued reader leaders.
Participants register with the help of Mum and/or Dad with their home address, which we use to communicate directly with them. Participants send their money to us and we then send them their rewards.
There is no need for the school to collect funds or distribute reading rewards – we simply ask you to excite the kids to register, read, and raise funds!
All we ask the school to do is nominate a ‘Reader Leader’ who will then: Remind children to register by hosting a School Visit or using a Reader Leader Pack.
Encourage children to start reading and to fundraise.
Promote the return of sponsorship by using our newsletter inserts.
Congratulate participants and present the school with their certificate sent by MS Readathon.
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What do Participants do?
- Register
Participants register online at www.msreadathon.org.au or send in a registration form.
- Read 30 Days throughout June, July or August
Children are being encouraged to read as much as possible over a 30-day period during the months of June, July or August. Children can read any literature as long as it is at their own reading level.
- Fundraise
Participants fundraise with their parent’s permission by asking for sponsorship from family and friends. Everyone who finishes the program will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and Reading Rewards to recognise their dedication to helping others.
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How does Sponsorship help?
The money raised by MS Readathon participants helps the MS Society to provide services to assist people living with MS such as physiotherapy, access to specialist MS nurses and respite care, whilst also working towards funding research into this mystery illness.
Here are a few projects and programs that are happening around Australia:
MS Queensland has officially launched their new Life at Annerley accommodation unit. Life at Annerley is the first project to be completed as part of MS Australia – QLD’s ‘Giving Life Back’ deinstitutionalisation program. It is designed to empower people with multiple sclerosis, with high care needs, to live more independently in housing that is within the community, not separate in a nursing home.
MS SA and NT have exercise and rehabilitation programs to keep people with MS fit and active. The programs are conducted by trained physiotherapists, occupational therapists and personal trainers and are conducted in various locations in the community, in SA and NT, to make access as easy as possible.
In terms of MS research many exciting things are currently underway:
- Dr Jennings at the University of Western Australia, currently working on nerve sheath repair
- The Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) is an ongoing research project designed to provide data of practical use for improving the lives of Australians living with MS.
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School Rewards
In 2010 we have a special incentive for schools. We are offering every school with 20 or more children registered online a beautiful Penguin book-pack for their library!
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Find us on Facebook
The MS Readathon is now on Facebook – featuring Bosko, our lovable mascot! Show your support of the program by becoming a fan. You can keep up to date with what’s happening in the program throughout the year with regular updates.
Click here to become a fan today!
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Fast facts on 2009
- We raised 2.4 million dollars nationally from over 50,000 students
- The highest fundraiser in Australia was 10 year old Cameron Cox from the ACT who raised a massive $30,025.
- Sydney Grammar School Edgecliff Preparatory School was the highest fundraising school, with 113 participants raising an impressive $31,331.
- 79% of entrants registered via the new website.
- A record number of adults registered with one of the oldest being 69 year old Harry from Tasmania who raised $2318.
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Contact Us!
If you have a question that we haven’t answered here then please contact your state manager on 1300 677 323 and they will be more than happy to assist you!
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