More Leisure Community Trust, which manages the centres, has partnered with national charity the Children’s Book Project to run the initiative at Barton Leisure Centre, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool, and Oxford Ice Rink.
From October 7 to 31, the trust’s centres are accepting donations of good-quality children’s books.
These will then be distributed to children across the UK who cannot afford their own books.
Brian Taylor, chair of More Leisure Community Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Children’s Book Project.
“This is an important cause, so we would encourage everyone to bring their spare children’s books to our centres and play your part in giving a child the gift of reading.”
The Children’s Book Project aims to tackle ‘book poverty’ by providing every child with the opportunity to own a book.
The charity believes book ownership can significantly enhance a child’s reading fluency, impacting their successful progression through education.
Councillor Chewe Munkonge, the city council’s cabinet member for a healthy Oxford, said: “We are proud to support this important initiative in our leisure centres which brings the community together to help tackle book poverty.
“Access to books is a vital part of a child’s development, and this drive offers an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people.”
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