Oakham Book Swap has shared a big 'thank you' with users and supporters having raised an admirable amount for local and national charities throughout 2023.

Run by Lisa Batty, Oakham Book Swap collects donations and runs a raffle in aid of a different charity each month, all while running a regular book box outside her family home when the weather allows it.

Each month, the local group swap and exchange books while raising money for a range of good causes, select a new local or national charity to support. Last year, they supported 12 local and national charities and raised over £300 through donations and raffles.

In total, 2023 saw the Oakham Book Swap initiative:

• support 12 charities
• raise over £300
• reach 421 Facebook followers
• check 28 jigsaws for 'completeness'
• make locals happy reading and recommending hundreds of new books.

On top of "loosing track of how many books have been swapped", Lisa said: "THANK YOU! As we reach the end of 2023, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our book swap!"

Have you supported Oakham Book Swap over the last 12 months? Image credit: Oakham Book Swap.

Kicking off 2024, the group will be supporting Pepper's- A Safe Place this January, and will be hosting a Big Book Swap to raise funds for the local mental health charity on Sunday 14 January.

Find out more about the upcoming swap here.

Pop down to the book swap in Oakham on Saturday and support a great local charity. Image credit: Oakham Book Swap.

The monthly swap and regular book boxes left out for keen readers contains fiction and non-fiction books for anyone aged 3 - 93, and is open to all.

Lisa explained: "Any donations left this month, and money raised through our Big Swap and raffle donations on Sunday 14 January, will go to Pepper's- A Safe Place." 

Swap books for free and join a raffle to support local and national charities. Image credit: Oakham Book Swap.

Pepper's- A Safe Place run friendly and welcoming drop-in sessions and wellbeing activities for any adults who may be struggling with their Mental Health.

All adults are welcome to come and take a break, socialise, combat isolation, have fun and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.

Development Manager, Pippa Gorman, said: "Loneliness is something that I'm sure we have all struggled with, especially throughout the pandemic. But many live with it everyday. We want to bring the community together, with a shared, safe and welcoming space for all, to chat, socialise, have fun and be less alone." 

Join the team this weekend for the Oakham Big Book Swap on Tyne Road, Oakham, and follow the team on Facebook.

They usually host their big book swap on the second Sunday of every month. You can follow other events hosted by local organisations on our What's On page.

Alternatively, email [email protected] to share your own good news stories and events.