A LITERACY charity is stepping up its campaign in South Cheshire after landing a £10,000 Christmas windfall.

Beanstalk has received lottery funding to buy scores of new books and games to support its work with children in Crewe and Nantwich schools.

The charity, formerly known as Volunteer Reading Help, works within 30 primary schools in the Cheshire and Stoke-on-Trent area including Underwood West, St Michael’s Community Academy, Pebblebrook and Monks Coppenhall in Crewe and St Oswald’s in Worleston.

The new year will see it expand its work into other Crewe schools and now more volunteers are being sought to help children who have fallen behind with their reading.

Area manager Gail Washington said: “The lottery grant has ended our year on a real high.

“Brightly coloured books, games and puzzles all help to ignite a child’s love of reading and build confidence. The funding will allow us access to great new resources so all we need now are extra hands.”

Volunteers sit with three children twice a week encouraging them to read for fun.

A team of 20 support more than 60 children on a one-to-one basis in Crewe and Nantwich. Pupils receive certificates throughout the progress of their improvement.

Jane Tomlinson, headteacher at Underwood West, said: “Beanstalk’s volunteer reading scheme has impacted on our pupils in a really positive way.

“The reading helpers have been really successful in building up relationships with children, helping to boost their self esteem as well as reading skills.”

Cheshire Lord Lieutenant David Briggs, an ambassador for the scheme locally, read with children on a visit to the Newcastle Street school before presenting certificates to improved readers.

For more details on becoming a Beanstalk volunteer or joining as a school call Gail Washington on 01782 827375.