Our founder, Teresa Harris, a Champion of Merton and Wandsworth
See The Wimbledon Foundation's Champions of Merton and Wandsworth exhibition at Southside from 7th to 21st April, including a portrait of our founder.
In 2014, Learn to Love to Read was one of the first recipients of a grant from The Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and The Championships. This month, The Wimbledon Foundation has launched a striking photography exhibition celebrating remarkable people from the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth.
Champions of Merton and Wandsworth is a collection of ten portraits by photographer Ben Queenborough celebrating ten everyday heroes from the local community. The exhibition will be on public display at Southside Shopping Centre, Wandsworth from 7th to 21st April and in The Piazza, Wimbledon from 6th to 20th May.
We are delighted that Learn to Love to Read’s founder, Teresa Harris, is one of the Wandsworth residents featured in the exhibition. She said:
“Reading can transform the life chances of children growing up. Research by Book Trust has found that reading for pleasure in the early years has four times more impact on a child’s progress by the age of 16 than parental education or socioeconomic status. Reading opens so many doors, and I’m passionate about those doors being opened to as many people as possible.”
Amanda Horton-Mastin, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, said: “Supporting charities and community groups in Merton and Wandsworth has been at the heart of the Wimbledon Foundation’s work since we began in 2014. Each year, we support around 70 organisations in the two boroughs bringing us into contact with inspirational people making an extraordinary contribution to our local community.
“These are people who would never seek the spotlight themselves and so, through Champions of Merton and Wandsworth, we want to celebrate these amazing individuals and shine a light on the difference that they, and hundreds of others just like them, make to the lives of people in our community. We hope the exhibition will leave residents feeling inspired that there is so much good in the world, especially right here on our doorstep.”
You will be able to see Teresa’s portrait outside Next in Southside Shopping Centre from 7th to 21st April.
