Change the Story | rogergale

Gale supports literacy campaign

North Thanet`s MP Sir Roger Gale has chosen his favourite children’s book to support Save the Children’s Change The Story campaign to make sure poor children don’t fall behind with their reading.

Research published last year by the charity, showed that a quarter of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds have already fallen behind with their reading by the age of seven.

Sir Roger attended a parliamentary event calling on all political parties to include in their election manifestos a commitment to ensure that no children fall behind with reading at primary school.

Roger is pictured with Winnie the Pooh in the Company of former House of Commons Sergeant at Arms and Beanstalk Board Member Jill Pay

Sir Roger picked Winnie the Pooh as his favourite children’s book and said: “Reading opens up a whole new world – and is vital for many other life skills.

“It is crucial that young children are encouraged to read – whatever their background.”

Save the Children and literacy charity Beanstalk have launched the Born to Read programme to recruit volunteers to go in to schools across the UK to help children who fall behind.

Justin Forsyth, Save the Children chief executive, said “We are delighted that Roger is supporting our campaign. No child’s chances or future should be determined by their family’s background or income bracket.”

Sue Porto, Beanstalk chief executive, said: “Reading is key to a child’s future and underpins a child’s chances of achieving at school and later in life.”