Aylesbury based Audiobook Charity Calibre Audio launches appeal to add 1,000 new books

Calibre Audio provides a completely free audiobook service for everyone with a disability that makes reading print difficult.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the service as a source of solace and comfort nationwide to members.

For those faced with physical and emotional isolation due to COVID-19, reading has provided not just entertainment but a vital lifeline and means of connection.

This year, the charity, like many others, has felt the severe effects of the pandemic and has had the additional cost of adapting to be Covid-19 compliant - keeping staff and volunteers safe whilst providing a high-quality audiobook service.

So for 2021, Calibre has launched an appeal to add 1,000 new books to their collection.

In order to keep up with their growing membership base - which is expected to increase to 17,500 this year - the charity needs to raise £140,000 to continue to run their service.

Calibre Audio receives no government funding, and on average, it costs £1.5 million to run the charity for one year.

This year, the charity, like many others, has felt the severe effects of the pandemic and has had the additional cost of adapting to be Covid-19 compliant - keeping staff and volunteers safe whilst providing a high-quality audiobook service.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the service as a source of solace and comfort nationwide to members. For those faced with physical and emotional isolation due to

COVID-19, reading has provided not just entertainment but a vital lifeline and means of connection.

Anthony Kemp, CEO of Calibre Audio said: “As a result of coronavirus, we are all facing new challenges. We want to ensure that our members are not the ones to suffer. We urgently need

to raise this funding to be able to continue providing our service, adding new books to the collection and supporting people nationwide - whether it’s providing a child with dyslexia the

means to start a lifelong love of reading, or a visually impaired member to find a moment of escapism and stimulation.“

Each new book added to the collection costs on average £250 to purchase or produce in the accessible format needed for members.

Further information on supporting the appeal can be found at: https://calibreaudio.org.uk/appeal