Book lovers have helped Variety – The Children’s Charity’s Monster Book Fair generate ‘monster’ sales in excess of $110,000 during the annual event at Alexandra Park.

Money from the Book Fair goes towards Variety’s Future Kiwi Kids programme to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids to fulfil their academic, artistic and sporting potential.

Eager browsers queued from 1pm to be first in to view the 100,000 books when the doors opened at 6pm on Thursday evening, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw a steady stream of patrons.

“Many families came along on Friday to browse the books during school holidays, with much interest in the brand new children’s books that were on sale this year for under $6,” says Mary McCutcheon-Walker, Co-ordinator of the A-Z Book Fair Committee, which organises the event.

“We really rely on community support to make the Variety Monster Book Fair a success and are very grateful to the hundreds of people who donate books throughout the year and to all those that came along on the weekend.”

“The A-Z Book Fair committee works tirelessly throughout the year to collect and sort the books,” says Lorraine Taylor, CEO, Variety – The Children’s Charity. “Thank you to this incredibly dedicated team of volunteers and also to the other volunteers who helped to make the Book Fair run smoothly.”

“We’d also like to acknowledge the amazing support of the Alexandra Park Function Centre, the Four Winds Foundation, Solid Gold, TR Group, Exhibition Hire Services, Dole NZ and Bakers Delight Ellerslie.”

Planning has already started for next year’s Monster Book Fair which will be held in late July and the committee is asking the community to start donating books.

Books can be either dropped off to Variety’s office at 290 Great South Rd, Greenlane from 8.00am – 5.00pm or Variety’s special ‘Book Bus’ can pick them up if requested. Please call the Variety office on 520 4111. The Book Bus will pick up in Auckland, within 20 kilometres of Greenlane.

ENDS

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