1,250 books donated for World Book Day in memory of Sheffield boy Jude who died aged 5
More than 1,200 books have been donated for World Book Day in memory of a Sheffield boy who loved stories.
A charity founded in memory of a Sheffield boy who believed stories should be shared has donated 1,250 brand new books to children and families across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire to mark World Book Day.
Jude and the Book Factory delivered the books to Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, Nottingham Hospitals Charity and Candlelighters Charity in Leeds, supporting hospital book areas and World Book Day celebrations.
The donation brings the total number of books gifted by the charity to 8,132.
The project began with Jude Mellon Jameson when he was just four years old.
During treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma, he believed the hundreds of books he owned should be shared so other children could enjoy them too.
After a 26-month cancer journey, during which he was treated at both Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Leeds Children’s Hospital, Jude died in September 2023, aged five.
His family chose to continue the project he started.
Lucy Mellon-Jameson, Jude’s mum, said: “Jude believed every child should have a book to read. He just wanted to share stories.
“During his treatment, books were such an important distraction. They brought comfort, calm and imagination into hospital rooms.
“World Book Day feels especially meaningful to us. It’s a celebration of stories – but we know first-hand how powerful those stories can be when a child is facing something incredibly difficult.
“Knowing that 8,132 books have now been placed into children’s hands in Jude’s name is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Jude first came up with the idea after noticing the growing pile of books he had during treatment. Instead of giving them away, he suggested hiding them for other children to discover.
Lucy said: “He said, ‘Let’s hide them for others to find.’ He would carefully choose which books to hide and then sit quietly watching to see who would pick one up. It brought him so much joy.”
The idea quickly spread, with more than 1,000 families across the country joining in by hiding books in their own communities.
Since Jude’s death, the initiative has grown into a charity that provides brand new books to hospitals, hospices and families affected by cancer or grief.
The 1,250 books donated this World Book Day will now be distributed across hospital wards and family spaces, helping ensure children facing long stays in hospital have something new to read and keep.
More information about the charity can be found at judeandthebookfactory.co.uk.
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