Join dynamic author duo Ben Lyttleton and Alex Bellos for the National Literacy Trust’s iconic Where’s Wally? fun run, which this year is a virtual run, renamed the Where’s Wally? Weekender. Event: Where’s Wally? Weekender! Date: Saturday 20 March – Sunday 21 March 2021 Time: Warm up with Jamie Knight via Facebook Live at 10am on Saturday 20 March Venue: Your local area Length: 5k, 10k or 1k for under 12s Price: Early bird prices £13 per child and £18 per adult ends 5 Feb (after that £15 and £20) To register: https://literacytrust.org.uk/events/wheres-wally-weekender/ On the weekend of 20 March 2021, hundreds of runners, families and book lovers will dress up as the popular children’s book character Where’s Wally? and run, jog or walk to raise money for the National Literacy Trust. Supported by Walker Books, publishers of Where’s Wally? the virtual event invites everyone to wear their Wally stripes with pride and take on a 5k, 10k or even 1k run for kids under 12, in their local area. Last year, the iconic annual fun run made an Olympic debut at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, but this year in light of COVID-19, the fun run is a virtual event, so participants nationwide can run, walk or jog their chosen distances close to home on the weekend of 20 March. Once registered, runners will be able to order their Wally costume, complete with the iconic glasses and bobble hat, ready for the weekender. Everyone who takes part will get a free Where’s Wally? costume, a medal and virtual goody bag which includes an exclusive sneak peek of digital activities from the brand new Where’s Wally? book, Where’s Wally? Party Time!
Every penny raised from the Where’s Wally? Weekender will help the National Literacy Trust to help children across the UK who need literacy support most, giving them a route out of poverty and chance to change their life story. The charity’s work to support schools and families whose children have had their literacy and learning most adversely affected by the disruption COVID-19 has caused to their education, is needed now more than ever.
For those raring to go on the morning of Saturday 20 March, the virtual event will officially kick off with a heart-pumping 15 minute Facebook Live warm up from world renowned football freestyler Jamie Knight which participants can tune into at 10am on Saturday 20 March. However, runners are free to begin their routes at whatever time suits them over the weekend. What’s more, co-authors of the much-loved Football School series (Walker Books) Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton, who are passionate about getting kids into reading through their love of sport and whose book Football School: 20 Fantastic Football Stories is part of this year’s World Book Day titles, are also supporting the event! They’ll both be taking on a 10k run around their local areas while dressed as Where’s Wally? and have recorded some fun video messages ahead of the weekend to encourage people, young and old, to sign up to the fun run and join them in raising money for the National Literacy Trust, a charity both authors have worked with closely. Alex Bellos, author, documentary presenter and puzzle columnist for the Guardian, said: “Having taken part in some really fun sport and literacy activities with the National Literacy Trust, I can’t wait for the Where’s Wally? Weekender and to wear Wally’s iconic red and white stripes with pride! It’s a great way to do something fun and physical while celebrating the magic of reading and supporting a great cause. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without a love of reading, it’s such an important skill for all aspects of your life, but it is also supports wellbeing, which at a time like this is so important. Sign up today and encourage your friends and families to get involved too!” Ben Lyttleton, author, football journalist and consultant, said: “I’m really excited to be gearing up for this challenge. While it’s going to be really fun and I love dressing up, I’m delighted that every step I take in Wally’s shoes will help lots of children on their way to brighter futures. “The National Literacy Trust does so much to provide reading and writing support to those who need it most- and in creative ways! I have loved working with them on sport and literacy programmes which help reluctant readers get into reading through sport. So what are you waiting for, register today and join us in this brilliant event!” Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Every year, I love seeing hundreds of smiling, enthusiastic families, runners and book lovers create a beautiful sea of red and white stripes on Where’s Wally? race day. This year, it warms my heart to know that there will be Wallys running around all over the country to help our charity in our mission to change the life stories of disadvantaged children in the UK by giving them the literacy skills they need to succeed and supporting those who need our help most, especially after a year which has disrupted children’s education so much. “To those of you who have signed up, thank you, you are brilliant, and to those thinking about it, go for it! Let’s do something amazing together, even while apart.” Along with a brilliant team from Walker Books, other teams will virtually compete in the race to win the fastest team award and raise the most money. Each winning team will get a box of books which includes a full set of the Football School series to gift to their local school, kindly sponsored by Walker Books. Find out more and register for the 2021 Where’s Wally? Weekender, visit: literacytrust.org.uk/WheresWally