"Some people aren't as lucky as us and they don't get to enjoy things we do, so to help them would be an honour".
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For 11-year-old Emma Clarke, doing something you love while helping others is "a really good thing to do".
And the year 6 student from Burgmann Anglican Middle School in Forde is not wrong.
As their school celebrated book week, Miss Clarke and fellow bookworms Sophie Linehan, 11, and year 7 student Kathryn Spedding have told how they are using their love of reading to help make a difference to the lives of people with multiple sclerosis by participating in this year's MS Readathon.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the reading-based fund-raiser which is aiming to raise $500,000 to support the provision of essential services and programs while the search for a cure for MS continues.
It is Miss Spedding's third year participating in MS Readathon. She was the ACT's highest individual fund-raiser last year, having raised $2065 - a target she wants to beat this year.
"I think in our day and age, especially children my age, take life so much for granted and there are so many people who don't even get that chance," she said.
The year 7 student said she loved reading and her favourites include the Harry Potter series and books by Morris Gleitzman.
Miss Linehan wanted to do MS Readathon because she loves reading and raising money for causes.
Miss Clarke has already achieved her $100 goal and plans on setting a higher fund-raising target next year. Her favourite books include the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and the Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins.
"I like a lot of action books and adventure," she said.
"Reading is really fun and if you're doing something you love while helping others, it's a really good thing to do."
Deputy head of Burgmann Anglican Middle School Kym Reid said it was fantastic to see students participating in MS Readathon.
"We take literature really seriously at the school and promoting that any way we can so any students that are supporting worthy causes is fantastic," he said.
The MS Readathon runs until August 31 and 60 Minutes for MS one-day challenge will be held on Friday.
