MS Readathon 2026: Reading for a Cause

August has always been one of my favourite reading months. For me, it’s the combination that it’s one of the longer months, and in Australia, it’s the worst winter month, so of course you want to curl up inside doing something quiet and stay warm.

Also, August has that special something to me that means every page I turn has an extra purpose. Because, once again, I’m taking part in the MS Readathon, raising funds for Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Throughout the month, I’ll be reading as many books as I can, sharing my progress here and on social media, and hopefully raising some money along the way for a cause that has meant a great deal to me for many years.

If you’ve followed Meeghan Reads for a while, you’ll know that I believe stories have an incredible ability to change lives. They’ve comforted me through difficult times, introduced me to lifelong friends, expanded my perspective, and reminded me that hope can exist even in the darkest moments.

This August, I’m hoping those stories can do something even bigger.

Why the MS Readathon?

When I was growing up, the MS Readathon was my favourite of the charities my school supported. Mostly because reading as many books as possible is way more fun to me than skipping rope or running. (Why are so many charities about exercise?!)

However, as I got older that reason changed. One of my Mum’s closest friends was diagnosed with MS when I was in high school. Watching someone you care about gradually lose their independence is something that stays with you.

What struck me most wasn’t just the physical impact of the disease. It was seeing someone whose personality, humour and determination remained so recognisably them, while their body increasingly made everyday life more difficult.

MS is an unpredictable neurological condition that affects thousands of people and their families. Every person’s experience is different, but what they all deserve is access to support, services, advocacy and, one day, better treatments and ultimately a cure.

That’s why I’m here.

Also, if I’m going to spend a month doing something I already love, why not turn those hours into something that might make a difference for someone else? It feels like the perfect combination of two things that matter deeply to me: books and helping people.

My goal

Over the next month across all of my social media platforms I’ll be sharing:

• what I’m reading

• mini reviews and favourite quotes

• progress updates

• the inevitable moments where my TBR mysteriously grows instead of shrinks (I still maintain this is a strange phenomenon beyond my control), and

• plenty of fundraising milestones (hopefully).

Anytime you see a little Readathon icon (like in the image on the right), you’ll know it’s a readathon update.

But, whether I read ten books or twenty, every page is a step towards supporting Australians living with MS.

How you can help

If you’re in a position to donate, I’d be incredibly grateful for your support. Every contribution (large or small) helps fund services, research and advocacy for people living with MS.

Donations raised through the MS Readathon help fund practical services that make a real difference to families living with MS and neurological conditions. That includes specialist MS Nurses, personalised support to help people navigate services such as the NDIS, national support helplines, and access to information and resources. They also help support advocacy and ongoing research into better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

If donating isn’t possible, that’s absolutely okay too! Sharing my fundraising page or cheering me on throughout the month means more than you know.

And if you’re also participating in the MS Readathon, I’d love to hear about your reading goals! Let me know what you’re planning to read this August so we can cheer each other on.

Thank you for being part of this wonderful little community. Whether you’ve been a book friend for years or you’ve only just found your way over, I’m so grateful you’re here.

Here’s to a month full of incredible stories, overflowing bookshelves, drinking far too much tea… and hopefully making a small difference together.