A children's reading charity plans to deliver more than £100,000 worth of books to schools across Barking & Dagenham this month.

Bookmark Reading is set to distribute books and resources to primary schools across the borough, following a surge in applications for its Your Story Corner initiative.

The charity is also calling for volunteers to help deliver reading sessions for five to 10-year-olds.

The charity's chief executive officer, Emily Jack, said: "We know that more than one in four children are at risk of leaving primary school unable to read well.

"As well as Your Story Corner packs to boost school libraries, schools in the area will benefit from volunteers being able to offer reading sessions to children and additional ongoing resources."

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Not being able to read well can cause difficulties across school subjects and affect children's life chances.

Literacy has also been linked to overall life expectancy.

In 2023, the charity delivered more than 40,000 reading sessions, focusing on areas of higher deprivation to reach children who need the most support.

Bookmark Reading's volunteering program recruits, checks, and trains volunteers to deliver fun 30-minute reading sessions either in person or on its secure online platform.

This gives children access to one-on-one reading support they wouldn't usually have.

For more information visit Bookmark Reading's website: bookmarkreading.org/volunteer.