Soldier turned author Chris Ryan drops in to Boots Rotherhithe depot with new book
Renowned ex-SAS author Chris Ryan will launch his new book One Good Turn today (Thursday 6 March) at a World Book Day event at Boots Distribution Centre in Rotherhithe. The event is organised by unionlearn* (the TUC's learning and skills organisation). Chris will speak about his experiences to local workers who are also members of the shop workers' trade union USDAW. Chris Ryan will be joined by unionlearn Director Liz Smith, Boots Support Supervisor, Yvonne Kelly, and union learning rep, Sharon Pearcey .
The distribution centre has a well-equipped learning facility that is running a wide range of courses for the workforce. Chris Ryan will formally open a new staff reading room in the centre. Boots workers will hear Chris read from his new book and he will sign copies for them. The book is in the Quick Reads* series, which is aimed at those who are returning to reading, or who just want a short fast-paced read.
The event will also highlight the learning partnership between USDAW, Boots, and unionlearn. Unionlearn is supporting many adult education projects which are raising skills levels throughout London. The TUC's organisation is one of many partners working with Quick Reads to reach out to the millions of adults in the UK with reading difficulties and the one third of the British population that never picks up a book.
Chris Ryan said: 'I really didn't make the most of my time at school and it wasn't until I joined up that I got into reading. In the Army, books were passed around among all the lads and we read whatever we could get our hands on! Books are great escapism and when you're miles away from home there's nothing better than losing yourself in a thriller. It's great to get involved with Quick Reads, to try to show new readers how much excitement and adventure can be packed into a few short pages.'
Yvonne Kelly, Supervisor, said: 'The company is determined to do its best for the workforce. That's why we're working with the union to provide top quality learning facilities in our Rotherhithe centre. Having such a prominent Quick Reads author like Chris Ryan to come and encourage more people into the reading habit is really inspiring.'
Sharon Pearcy , union learning rep, said: 'It's great that we have been able to welcome Chris Ryan to our Boots distribution centre. Today Chris Ryan helped us by launching our reading room where staff members can relax and catch up with their learning programmes. This is a real boost for our five USDAW union learning reps. Chris, who is a soldier turned author, is an outstanding role model, as someone who has changed careers, for many of our members who are facing big changes in their own lives.'
Liz Smith, unionlearn Director said: 'World Book Day is an opportunity for trade union members to celebrate learning and the impact it has on people's lives, prospects, and families. We warmly welcome Chris and to hear at first hand about his exciting experiences and about his inspiration for writing his Quick Read.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
All unionlearn press releases can be found at www.unionlearn.org.uk
? Quick Reads are launched on World Book Day, which is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK. Now in its eleventh year, World Book Day will be held on Thursday March 6 2008. Information about World Book Day is also available from the website www.worldbookday.com The brand-new set of Quick Reads, written by some of Britain's most popular personalities, are published on World Book Day, 6 March 2007. The books are priced at just £1.99 each.
? The new Quick Reads published on World Book Day, 2008 are: Gilda O'Neill, East End Tales; Gordon Ramsay, Humble Pie; Chris Ryan, One Good Turn; Josephine Cox, Girl on the Platform; Colin Jackson, Life's New Hurdles; Adele Parks, Happy Families; Scott Quinnell , The Hardest Test; Vanessa Feltz , RaW Voices: True Stories of Hardship and Hope; John Bird, The 10 Keys to Success; and Terrance Dicks, Doctor Who: Revenge of the Judoon .
? Quick Reads used under licence.
? Unionlearn together with unions has recruited over 18,000 union learning reps who last year helped over 150,000 people to access courses.
Media enquiries:
Wanda Wyporska T: 020 7079 6950 M: 07795 844728 E: wwyporska@tuc.org.uk
Contact on the day: Mike Power T: 020 7079 6942 M: 07900 914322 E: mpower@tuc.org.uk
Press release (800 words) issued 6 Mar 2008
