As teachers, we see it every year. The reluctant reader who suddenly can’t wait to turn the next page. The child who recommends a favourite book to a friend. The class that falls silent because everyone is completely absorbed in a story.
Those moments matter. Reading develops vocabulary and imagination, but it also teaches empathy. Every story invites children to step into someone else’s world and see life through different eyes.
Perhaps that is why the MS Readathon has remained such a valued tradition in Irish schools for more than thirty years.
This year, I have the privilege of serving as the 2026 MS Readathon Ambassador. It is a role that means a great deal to me because I am also a primary school teacher—and someone living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
When your perspective changes
When I was diagnosed with MS in 2022, my understanding of the condition changed overnight.
Like many people, I had heard of MS but knew little about the daily reality of living with it. I quickly learned that no two people experience the condition in the same way. Some days are easier than others. Symptoms can be invisible, unpredictable and life-changing.
What I also discovered was the incredible work of the MS Society of Ireland. Behind every support service, information session, family programme and research initiative are people determined to ensure that nobody faces MS alone.
Many of those services exist because communities continue to support the Society—and schools have always been at the heart of that support.
Teachers create readers - and caring citizens
One of the greatest privileges of teaching is knowing that the lessons we teach extend beyond the curriculum.
The MS Readathon is a wonderful example of this. Children are encouraged to read for enjoyment while discovering that their own efforts can make a positive difference in someone else’s life.
For pupils, it isn’t simply about counting books or collecting sponsorship. It is about understanding kindness, generosity and community. They learn that something as simple as opening a book can help another person.
Those are lessons that stay with children long after the Readathon ends.
Why schools matter
Every year, schools across Ireland quietly achieve something remarkable.
Teachers encourage reading, parents support their children, and pupils enthusiastically embrace the challenge. Together they raise vital funds that help improve the lives of more than 11,000 people living with MS across Ireland.
As someone who now depends on many of those services, I see that generosity from a different perspective. I know that behind every fundraising total are classrooms filled with children discovering that they have the power to make a difference.
That is something worth celebrating.
Looking to this year’s Readathon
As schools prepare for another academic year, many will also begin thinking about the MS Readathon.
I hope even more schools will take part this November—not only because the funds raised are so important, but because the campaign perfectly reflects what schools do every day.
We nurture curiosity. We encourage compassion. We help children discover that their actions matter.
Books open minds, but they also open hearts.
As teachers, there are few better lessons we can give.
Five reasons to bring the MS Readathon to your school
- Encourages children to read for enjoyment.
- Supports literacy in an inclusive and accessible way.
- Develops empathy, kindness and social responsibility.
- Brings the whole school community together around a shared goal.
- Raises vital funds and awareness for people living with Multiple Sclerosis across Ireland.
About Sarah Mather
Sarah Mather is a primary school teacher and the 2026 MS Readathon Ambassador. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022, she is passionate about encouraging reading and raising awareness of MS through education.
Take part in the 2026 MS Readathon
The MS Readathon runs throughout November, encouraging children across Ireland to discover the joy of reading while supporting people living with MS.
Sign up today at https://www.msreadathon.ie/
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