Fifteen years of Duffy Books in Homes

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Fifteen years, over 7,000,000 books and tens of thousands of students ago, Alan Duff and Christine Fernyhough envisaged a programme which would help end the cycle of booklessness in NZ homes.
On 24th August, 1995 the Books in Homes programme (Duffy was officially added in 2007) launched with 80 schools, 16,000 students and 14 sponsors. Now it has grown to encompass 547 schools, over 100,000 students and 198 sponsors in 2010. 
The programme now gives away more than one book every minute of every day and has become one of the key literacy initiatives in low decile areas.
Former Duffy kids are now making their mark on NZ and the world. Notable names include BMX champion Sarah Walker and Cody Yerkovich who was crowned Miss World New Zealand in 2010.
Just as important are those who have broken the cycle and are now mothers and fathers reading to their own children. 
These parents who grew up with the Duffy programme are now passing on their love of books and reading to a new generation who will take it for granted that books are an integral part of home life.
Duffy Books in Homes marked their 15th anniversary with a celebration at Mangere’s Viscount School on 24th August, 2010. 
Numerous personalities from the past and present connected with the programme were in attendance. This included Alan Duff, Christine Fernyhough, Winnie Laban, Linda Vagana, Jackie Clarke, Jan Hellriegel, Ruud Kleinpaste and Stacey Morrison.