Media release archive

Andy McNab in special mission to celebrate reading success

Date: 04-11-2011

Bestselling novelist and former SAS operative Andy NcNab thrilled workers at McVitie’s Manchester yesterday (31 October 2011) when he visited them to sign copies of his new book Dead Centre, and celebrate their Learn 4 U Centre’s success in winning the prize draw for workplaces participating in the Six Book Challenge.

Launched in 2008 by independent charity The Reading Agency, the annual Six Book Challenge encourages less confident readers to develop a new reading habit and improve their skills at the same time. Participants are invited to pick six reads of their choice and complete a reading diary in order to receive incentives along the way and a certificate.

Six Book Challenge activity at McVitie’s Manchester was linked to the biscuit factory’s successful Learning At Work Day (19 May 2011) thanks to partnership working by management, trade union USDAW’s workplace unionlearn representatives and a special relationship with Stockport Council’s library service. 50 McVitie’s Manchester employees took part in the Challenge this year; the third year McVitie’s have run it.

Andy McNab did a question and answer session and signed copies of his new book Dead Centre, which then went on sale in the factory’s Learn 4 U Centre.

Following his visit, Andy said: “Reading and literacy changed my life. So it is wonderful to see partnerships such as the one at McVitie’s working so successfully to promote and encourage reading through programmes like the Six Book Challenge.”

“It’s been a coup to have both a real life hero and successful author visit the Learn 4 U centre at McVitie’s. The event with Andy McNab resulted in a real buzz within the factory,” said Jonathan Waterhouse, USDAW learning rep coordinator at McVitie's Manchester.  

“The Six Book Challenge is another great example of how USDAW unionlearn representatives at McVitie’s have engaged with our union members, allowing us to reinvigorate or start a reading culture with the support of both The Reading Agency and Stockport Libraries. It was also great to have Paddy Lillis, deputy general secretary of USDAW, in attendance to see what’s been achieved.” 

"The Six Book Challenge has gone from strength to strength here at McVitie's Manchester and it’s great to see so many employees not only enjoying this challenge but generally expanding their learning through the support of the Learn 4 U Centre and everyone here who is committed to making this a success,” said Helen Day, factory general manager at McVitie's Manchester.

Photos by Mike Corrie: