The MS Readathon needs our help

The MS Readathon is Australia’s premier reading-based fundraising program; it encourages school-aged participants to read to change the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Please visit for further information.

Each year the MS Readathon calls on volunteers around the country to donate their time to spread the MS message and visit schools, explaining to students how they can make a difference by raising funds through reading.

Many wonderful people volunteer each year. Some have MS, others know someone with MS, or simply want to help raise funds for people living with MS. Without these community-minded individuals (known as MS Readathon Community Representatives), many students would not have the opportunity to learn about this mysterious disease.However, there is a shortage of volunteers for 2010, and we would truly appreciate your assistance in recruiting MS Readathon Community Representatives.

Readathon Community Representatives, as members of the MS Readathon team, represent MS Australia, the MS Readathon and people with MS through presentations to schools within your local community. The school visiting period begins on the 19th of April (week two of term two), and ends on the 4th of June.

School Visits are pre-scheduled and Community Representatives are provided with a calendar detailing each of their visits for the entire school visiting period. This means school visits can be scheduled according to each Community Representative’s availability. There is no minimum or maximum number of school visits for Community Representatives; we are grateful for any assistance they can provide.

MS Readathon Community Representatives receive full training via teleconference. They are provided with all presentation scripts and materials, as well as a MS Readathon badge and t-shirt. Reimbursement for travel expenses is available.

Community Representatives promote the MS Readathon program in a manner that is both animated and fun-filled. Their audience includes primary and secondary students, teachers and parents. The most popular time for a school visit is at assembly, during which Community Representatives are allocated a short time to promote the MS Readathon to the student population.

The qualities of an MS Readathon Community Representative include:

  • Confidence in public speaking;
  • Enthusiasm
  • Strong organisational skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Warmth and approachability when interacting with others
  • A ‘can do’ attitude

For more information, or to express your interest in becoming an MS Readathon Community Representative, please contact Tamara Smith on (07) 3840 0812 or at .