The signature event will be an attempt to smash the Guinness World Record for the worlds’ longest reading relay at Waterstone’s Piccadilly on Thursday 13th October, 350 people, including children who are partially sighted or who are blind, will gather to each read aloud from Anthony Horowitz’s exclusive Diamond Brothers’ short story The Double Eagle has Landed, not yet published in the UK. The story will be accessible to everyone at the record attempt, as it will be available in giant print, audio and Braille, as well as in standard print. The current Austrian world record is 290 people. Anthony says:
"I'm delighted that one of my stories has been chosen for this world record-breaking attempt. I'm afraid 13th October will be a sad day for Austria as we smash the record and fly the flag for the UK. All credit to RNIB and Waterstone's for encouraging literacy in such a fun and inclusive way."
Walker Books, Waterstone’s and the RNIB will also mark the first ever Read for RNIB Day on 14th October, by giving children all over the country a free picture book. A special edition of Mole’s Sunrise by Jeanne Willis and Sarah Fox-Davies – a beautifully written story which reminds us how important sight is – will be given away through the Daily Mail where readers will be invited to take a voucher to Waterstone’s stores nationwide to collect their free copy. For every voucher redeemed, Waterstone’s will also donate 20p to the RNIB to help blind and partially sighted people find their lives again
Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. To find out more information or to join people reading for fun, and help the blind and partially sighted, do visit www.rnib.org.uk/readforrnibday