Premier League backs Burnley FC in the Community to gift 1,200 free books to local pupils
Children across Burnley are set to receive more than 1,200 free books this week as part of a national Premier League initiative celebrating World Book Day.
The giveaway forms part of the Premier League’s Premier League Primary Stars programme, which is distributing more than 120,000 free books to children across England and Wales to mark World Book Day 2026 on Thursday, March 5th.
Locally, Burnley FC in the Community will distribute the books to partner primary schools across the town, helping pupils discover the joy of reading while linking learning to the appeal of football.
The initiative has been delivered in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, with support from the World Book Day charity and the National Year of Reading campaign.
It comes at a time when reading for pleasure among young people is at its lowest level in two decades, with research showing that one in ten children and young people do not have a book of their own at home.
Lianne Bradford, education manager at Burnley FC in the Community, said the programme can have a lasting impact on young people’s confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
“In Burnley, we see every day how football opens the door to learning,” she said.
“Through Premier League Primary Stars, and in partnership with World Book Day and the National Literacy Trust, we’re delighted to gift over 1,200 free books to local pupils this week.
“For some, this may be the first book they’ve ever owned. When children find the right story, confidence grows, curiosity follows, and that joy spills into the classroom and beyond.”
Research shows reading for pleasure can significantly benefit children’s literacy development, wellbeing, empathy and confidence, while also supporting their overall learning.
Since Premier League Primary Stars began in 2017, more than 460,000 free books have been given to young people across England and Wales.
The education programme uses the popularity of football to engage pupils in the classroom and is available to every primary school in England and Wales.
The World Book Day activities are part of wider efforts to support the National Year of Reading, which aims to inspire more children and families to discover the benefits of reading and help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure.