14 schools in County Westmeath join in to read and raise in 25th MS READaTHON

Fourteen schools in Westmeath have signed up for this year's MS READaTHON.The MS READaTHON is the biggest school-based reading initiative in Ireland and the key annual fundraising campaign of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, the services, information and research society supporting people affected by MS.Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition in Ireland and affects over 8,000 Irish adults and the many thousands of people that sharetheir lives. MS is a disease that affects the motor, sensory and cognitive functioning of the body. The variance in presence, severity and duration of symptoms coupled with the intermittent and progressive nature of MS impacts not only the person with MS but also family.As part of this year's lead-in to READaTHON, a survey was carried out, and it found that Ireland is a nation of bookworms with 64% of respondents claiming to read daily. One in five pick up a book at least once a week, with 13% waiting for opportunities like holidays to get stuck into a novel.An overwhelming 95% of people surveyed said that reading gives them pleasure, with two out of three opting to curl up with a book over other forms of entertainment.The third annual survey marked the final reading week for MS READaTHONers as they call on friends and family to sponsor their efforts over the past month. This year represents the 25th annual MS READaTHON with 580 schools taking part throughout the country.The best time to read is tucked up in bed at the end of a long day according to two in five surveyed, with a further twofifths saying they will read 'anytime, anywhere'. 13% love to read when relaxing on holidays and 7% take out a book to pass time on public transport.When asked about their favourite type of book, over half chose fiction with 38% saying that they will read anything and everything. 7% prefer non-fiction and 3% opt for biographies or autobiographies. Two out of five people admitted that they have pretended to read a well-known book just to seem more intelligent!Buy or borrow? 42% say they would rather borrow a book and the library is a regular haunt for one third of those surveyed. A further 31% of respondents occasionally visit the library, however 35% say they do not make use of it at all. 75% continue to buy books regularly with almost one half of respondents saying they have 'hundreds' of books at home. 6% say they have less than 10 books on their bookshelves.When asked what stops people visiting their library, 58% said it 'is not part of my routine', with one third putting it down to extra 'hassle'. Two thirds of readers said they would be more likely to visit their library if it was café style with comfy seats! Rating their local libraries, 73% said they find it 'useful' or 'very useful'.On the subject of e-books, a quarter of those surveyed read them all the time, 10% choose e-books on holidays however 65% say they would always opt for a hard copy. 85% of all respondents say they still prefer hard copy books, despite a half admitting that the availability of e-books makes it more convenient to fit reading into their daily lifestyles.Irish authors on reading:For schools around the country, the 25th MS READaTHON provides:· Individual incentives for participants· School awards· 10 per cent of the money raised by each participating school goes back into much needed resources for that school· The "Great Teacher Holiday draw"· The MS READaTHON School Library AwardFor more information on MS and MS Ireland, visit www.ms-society.ie, call the information line on 1850 233 233 or email info@ms-society.ie.