Hosting a Readathon is a powerful way to encourage children to develop a love for reading while raising awareness and funds for literacy programs. Whether you’re a school, parent group, or community organization, joining REadCONNECT’s Readathon is simple and impactful. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Register Your School or Group

• Visit the REadCONNECT website and sign up to become an official Readathon partner.
• Assign a Readathon Coordinator within your school or organization to oversee the event.
• Receive a Readathon Starter Kit, which includes reading logs, fundraising tools, and promotional materials.

Step 2: Set Your Readathon Goals

• Decide on the duration of your Readathon (e.g., one week, one month, or a set number of reading hours per student).
• Set a reading target for participants (e.g., total minutes, books read, or number of pages).
• Establish a fundraising goal, with proceeds supporting Bring Me a Book Hong Kong’s literacy programs.

Step 3: Get Students and Parents Involved

• Host a kick-off event at your school or online to introduce the Readathon and excite students.
• Distribute reading logs or digital tracking tools to help students track their progress.
• Encourage parents to read with their children daily and participate in family reading activities.

Step 4: Promote Your Readathon

• Use social media, school newsletters, and community boards to spread the word.
• Engage teachers and librarians to recommend books suitable for different age groups.
• Encourage students to share their reading journey with photos, videos, and testimonials using the hashtag #REadCONNECTHK.

Step 5: Track Progress and Motivate Participants

• Set up a leaderboard or recognition system to celebrate top readers.
• Organize weekly challenges to keep students engaged (e.g., “Read a Book in a Funny Voice” Challenge).
• Offer incentives or rewards such as certificates, badges, or book prizes.

Step 6: Encourage Fundraising Support

• Guide students in setting up their JustGiving pages for sponsorships.
• Ask families, friends, and businesses to sponsor students for each book read.
• Promote the cause by sharing why reading matters and how funds will support literacy programs.

Step 7: Host a Closing Celebration

• Organize a Readathon Finale Event at school or online, recognizing top readers and fundraisers.
• Invite a guest author or storyteller for an engaging storytelling session.
• Share impact stories showcasing how the Readathon has inspired a love of reading.

Step 8: Keep the Momentum Going

• Encourage families to continue reading together beyond the Readathon.
• Provide a recommended book list for students to explore after the event.
• Stay connected with REadCONNECT for future reading initiatives and literacy programs.

By joining REadCONNECT’s Readathon, you’re not just promoting reading—you’re building a community that values literacy, bonding, and lifelong learning. Ready to get started? Sign up today and bring the joy of reading to your school!

Start your REadCONNECT Readathon here

Thank you for reading this, you may also enjoy:  Is this the one mistake parents in Hong Kong are making when it comes to education?

If you think Hong Kong’s education system alone will set your child up for success, think again. While local students consistently perform well in exams, a deeper issue is emerging—children are losing confidence in their reading ability, and parental engagement in literacy is alarmingly low.

A study from PIRLS ranked Hong Kong 49th out of 57 countries in reading confidence among Primary 4 students, and parental engagement in reading ranks second to last in the world. Only 16% of Hong Kong parents engage in preschool literacy activities, compared to 74% globally. This means many children are missing out on crucial early development skills that can shape their future.

Enter REadCONNECT, a city-wide movement designed to turn the tide. This spring, Bring Me A Book Hong Kong is launching an ambitious campaign to inspire parents to reclaim their role in their child’s reading journey. And the best part? It only takes 10 minutes a day.

The Science Is Clear: Reading Together Changes Everything

The benefits of shared reading go far beyond literacy. Neuroscience shows that reading aloud activates 20% more of a child’s brain than reading independently, lighting up areas responsible for comprehension, memory, and creativity.

– Children who are read to daily hear 1.4 million more words by age five, setting them up for lifelong academic success (Ohio State University).
– Reading releases oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, deepening parent-child bonds and reducing stress (Harvard Medical School*).
– Family reading time fosters emotional intelligence, sparking meaningful conversations that build resilience, empathy, and confidence.
– Screentime cannot replace human connection. Reading together provides irreplaceable moments of learning and bonding that technology simply cannot replicate. According to an article by South China Morning Post (SCMP), about 28 per cent of parents say their children’s use of electronic devices resulted in verbal insults, physical threats or unreasonable punishment.

The REadCONNECT Movement: Join the Biggest Family Literacy Celebration in Hong Kong

REadCONNECT is bringing parents, children, and educators together in an exciting lineup of events designed to make reading fun, interactive, and meaningful.

March 8 – Hong Kong Central Library, Causeway Bay(10:00 – 11:30 AM): Dr. Fanny Lam will present research on how shared reading boosts executive function, cognitive skills, and emotional resilience—all critical for success in today’s world.

March & April – Readathon Challenge: Schools and families can sign up for the REadCONNECT Readathon, where parents and children commit to daily reading and raise funds to support literacy programs.

April 27 – REadCONNECT Tram Parade & Family Day:
– Hop aboard a branded storytelling tram, traveling from Whitty Street to Causeway Bay, bringing books to life in a unique moving experience.
– Meet and greet celebrity authors and illustrators in the “Bring Me an Author” series, where families can experience firsthand the magic of storytelling.
– Get creative at the interactive bookmaking workshop at Hong Kong Central Library, inspired by Mo Willems’ beloved Knuffle Bunny trilogy.

How You Can Get Involved

✔️ Parents – Start small. Just 10 minutes a day of reading can transform your child’s future. Sign up for the Readathon and make shared reading a fun, rewarding habit.
✔️ Schools – Encourage students to join the challenge and create a JustGiving page to raise funds for Bring Me A Book Hong Kong’s literacy initiatives.
✔️ Community Leaders & Ambassadors – Spread the word. The more families who commit to reading, the greater the impact on the next generation.

Hong Kong parents are passionate about education, but true success starts at home and the facts can no longer be ignored. REadCONNECT isn’t just about literacy—it’s about building stronger families, resilient children, and a community where learning is celebrated together.

Ready to take action?
Join the movement today and start a Readathon at your school or organisation. Simply click below to get started: https://legacy.simplygiving.com/event/readconnect

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