BOOKWORMS can support a charity which helps youngsters in Oxfordshire schools learn to read.

Blackwell’s in Oxford is helping local reading charity Bookfeast with in-store fundraising throughout October.

The store’s events and marketing volunteer Hannah Chinnery runs a weekly volunteering session for Bookfeast at St Christopher’s Primary School in Cowley.

She said: “This is a great charity which focuses the enjoyment of reading in children and adults.

“Reading should never be made to feel like a chore, and having the opportunity to discuss a book in a fun and relaxed environment is one way of fighting just that.

“I read to the children on Tuesday afternoons at St Christopher’s and it’s great to see how much enjoyment they can have from reading.”

The Botley Road resident added: “Many children haven’t sat down to read a whole book before and may instead spend time playing computer games or similar activities.

“Worse still, many don’t have a library card or access to books at home.”

As part of the campaign, there are now 24 Oxfordshire primary schools with Lunchboox clubs, each with a book group of up to 10 children who meet for half an hour every week for seven-week periods. In that time they read two books which they have chosen.

Volunteers who go into the schools boost the children’s enjoyment by including fun activities and acting sessions relating to the book.

As well as the Lunchboox sessions, there are also 20 Tea Books groups which focus on elderly people to try to foster friendships.

Volunteers run the sessions once every three weeks at a variety of venues including sheltered accommodation, day centres, residential homes and libraries.

Each time a customer buys a book at the Broad Street store this month staff request a donation for Bookfeast.

Director Angie Prysor-Jones, of Woodstock Road, said: “I think the work we do is very important because if you enjoy reading, then you will want to read. It’s all about reading for pleasure.

“Reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of the future success of a child, and for older people is important in helping to alleviate depression as they have new things to talk about.”

Mrs Prysor-Jones, who started the charity four years ago, added: “I am really grateful to Blackwell’s for supporting us as it is hard to fundraise.”