WARWICK Castle is to raffle a unique signed artwork by top children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler – featuring family favourite Zog –  to help boost literacy charities.

Scheffler’s art has captivated a generation thanks to his work with author Julia Donaldson on the likes of The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, Zog and sequel Zog and the Flying Doctors.

This year, the castle partnered with Magic Light Pictures on pioneering Zog-themed attractions including a Zog Live! Show, accessible play area and the return of the Zog trail.

Zog Playland at Warwick Castle

Pupils from Warwick’s Westgate Primary School were the first to test out the castle’s new Zog Playland in April, and helped create a spectacular mural, for which the artist created the centrepiece.

Throughout the summer, the finished mural, which includes a copy of Scheffler’s original artwork within a weather-proof casing, has been on display within the castle.

But now, visitors to the castle and its website are being offered the chance to win the signed artwork when they make a charity donation to designated book-related causes.

Julia Donaldson at Warwick Castle

Proceeds will go towards Read Easy, which helps adults learn to read, and Book Aid International, which aims to give people around the world who lack access to books the opportunity to read for pleasure, study and lifelong learning.

Guests will be able to use a QR code next to the artwork to access the donation page, which will also be available online for people across the UK to be able to donate and enter.

Read more: Julia Donaldson scripts new castle Zog show

Nick Blofeld, Divisional Director at Warwick Castle, says: “We were delighted to work with Westgate Primary School, and it has been wonderful to see their artwork on display, this summer.

“We are incredibly grateful to Axel Scheffler for creating this unique piece of art to celebrate our expanding Realm of Zog.

“Being able to offer fans the opportunity to win this, while supporting two wonderfully deserving literary charities is exceptionally exciting and we cannot wait to see the total raised.”

Read more: Zog Live at Warwick Castle – Review

Carla Priddon, Chief Executive of Read Easy, says: “Most of us take our ability to read for granted, but over 2.4 million adults in England struggle with this most basic requirement for everyday life.

“Read Easy UK is a small, but rapidly growing, charity which provides free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching for adults, from trained volunteers, through locally-run volunteer groups.

“An adult can learn to read in less than 18 months and at a cost of less than £500 – this is life-changing. Read Easy receives no government funding, and we rely entirely on donations.

“Every penny we receive in donations goes directly to improving the quality of life of adults and we are very thankful to be part of this initiative.”

Chief Executive of Book Aid International, Alison Tweed adds: “Every year we provide more than one million brand new books to libraries, schools, refugee camps, hospitals and prisons worldwide.

“Those books give an estimated 24 million people the opportunity to read. Two-thirds of the books we provide are for children, and it costs us just £2 to send a book.

Zog & the Quest for the Golden Star trail

“Every donation made through the Zog Playland will help us share the joy of reading with more children around the world, and we extend a very warm thank you to everyone who takes part.”

To make a donation and enter the raffle, visit the special page here. For more information about Warwick Castle and its Zog attractions, visit www.warwick-castle.com.