A mother-of-two is giving her free time to help less fortunate children overcome their literacy fears.

Jane Gardiner, from Loose, signed up with the charity Beanstalks, after reading about our Get Kent Reading campaign.

The aim is to recruit 50 readers to work in schools across Kent and spend a couple of hours a week listening to pupils who struggle with their words.

Mrs Gardiner, 33, is one of 52 people in west Kent who have inquired about the initiative since it was launched in April.

She said: “I saw the Kent Messenger’s Get Kent Reading coverage a few weeks ago and really wanted to get involved.

“I remember seeing a similar campaign in London some years ago but I was working and didn’t have the time. This time round, I’m working part time after taking a break from work to have my two children.”

The former city worker, who has two sons, aged five and three, has been assigned two pupils at Tree Tops Academy, in Brishing Lane, Park Wood.

She has had training provided by the charity and visits each of them twice a week for one-to-one 30-minute sessions.

Mrs Gardiner said. “Reading has been something I’ve had a passion for since I was a child and now I enjoy sharing it with my own children.

“It’s not fun when you struggle and I want all youngsters to enjoy it. I think it’s makes a huge difference in all parts of life. Books help develop knowledge and your imagination.”

Malou Bengtsson-Wheeler, Beanstalk’s west Kent manager, said: “The response to the Get Kent Reading Campaign continues to be excellent with a steady stream of applications coming in from wonderful people all over the county who have been motivated as a result of reading about our work in the Kent Messenger.

"But we still need more helpers to come forward and join us.”