Read for Good

Read for Good is an organisation that delivers programmes designed to support parents and professionals working with children and young people to help enable, empower and inspire a life-changing love of reading. This year the charity is celebrating 12 incredible years of brining the magic of books and storytelling to seriously ill children, young people and their families.

Read for Good received funding from the Hays Travel Foundation to provide books and storytelling sessions for seriously ill children and young people receiving treatment at the Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle.

Since February 2025, Read for Good have been able to provide 360 brand new books, as well visits from professional storyteller Gerry Durkin. During storytelling sessions from Gerry Durkin, he uses sensitivity, insight and artistry to delight and entertain children, to create a sense of magic and wonder in an often scary and overwhelming environment.

Storytelling visits have had an incredible impact on the lives of the children and young people being cared for by the Great North Children’s Hospital, and the visits have helped to cheer up patients and bring sunshine and company for a few moments during a hospital.