AS we approach the 50th celebration of International Literacy Day tomorrow, Thursday, we are reminded of the importance of reading when it comes to ensuring children have the skills to reach their full potential.

Last year alone more than 63,000 children left primary school unable to read to the expected level.

Low literacy skills can have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals and our communities and are estimated to cost the UK economy £81 billion every year.

At Beanstalk we believe life is better when everyone can read well and express themselves with confidence.

That is why we recruit and train volunteer reading helpers to go into a primary school and provide one-to-one support to a child struggling with their reading.

Our volunteers change lives.

Without them thousands of children would still be struggling to read and facing all the problems associated with low literacy levels.

But we need more reading helpers if we are to be able to offer this support to all those who need it.

So, as the new school year starts, we are recruiting a new class of Beanstalk reading helpers.

Visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk or call 020 7729 4087 to sign up as a reading helper.

Ginny Lunn

Chief executive

Beanstalk