Maggie is making a difference!

An intrepid library manager is undertaking a sponsored walk taking in every library in the Ipswich and Kesgrave area to raise money on Suffolk Libraries Day.

Maggie Lusher is the Executive Library Manager for Kesgrave and is hoping to raise money to support the work of the library service across Suffolk’s communities.

Her walk will cover nearly 16 and a half miles and will involve a round trip starting from and ending at Kesgrave Library taking in six other libraries – Gainsborough, Rosehill, Stoke, Chantry, Broomhill and Ipswich County Library.

Accompanied by her husband Andrew and dog Bertie, Maggie is tackling the walk on Saturday 23 March which is Suffolk Libraries Day. Maggie said:

“Suffolk Libraries Day is an ideal time to draw attention to Suffolk Libraries and all the amazing services that we provide in our local communities; as well as reminding everyone that we are a charity. I wanted to do something a bit different this year and set myself a personal challenge. Whilst undertaking this challenge I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to ask for sponsorship and raise awareness of what we do.”

“I am a keen walker and usually go to the Lake District twice a year with my husband and dog, Bertie, to walk the fells and hills, so I am hoping that walking around Ipswich will prove slightly easier. I have been completing some training and will be starting on longer walks to be fighting fit for the walk on Saturday 23rd March!”

You can sponsor Maggie via her Justgiving fundraising page or forms are available in Kesgrave Library.

Suffolk Libraries Day is the annual event to celebrate Suffolk Libraries and raise money to support the work of the library service in the community. A special Suffolk Libraries Day online book festival featuring Lee Child has already raised £1,600 and Ipswich and Stowmarket libraries are also holding live music gigs later this month.

Libraries will be organising a range of activities on or around Suffolk Libraries Day including an author talk with C.L Miller at Thurston Library. Other libraries are also holding events including a cycling challenge, family fun days, cake stalls and a village market.

For a full list of events visit the Suffolk Libraries Day what’s on page.

This year daisies will also be popping up in some libraries on Suffolk Libraries Day to raise awareness of the organisation’s new fundraising campaign, Making a Difference with a Daisy which aims to create a chain of metal daisy sculptures supported by local businesses and donations. For more information about how to get involved visit the Make a Difference with a Daisy webpage.