30 January 2018

Michael Morpurgo, one of the UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers, is today announced as an Ambassador for national literacy charity Beanstalk. The charity helps children who have fallen behind with their reading by recruiting, training and placing volunteers to work one-to-one with pupils in primary schools across England.

Michael, who has been awarded a Knighthood in the New Year Honours List 2018 for services to literature and charity, was previously patron for Yorkshire-based charity Reading Matters. Now that the charity has recently merged with Beanstalk, Michael is keen to continue as an ambassador. Through the combined vision of both organisations and Michael’s continued patronage, Beanstalk will ensure more children and young people benefit from one-to-one reading help across England.

Ginny Lunn, Chief Executive Officer of Beanstalk, said:

“We are so delighted to announce Michael Morpurgo as an Ambassador for Beanstalk. His contribution to literature is inspirational and the work he has carried out with Reading Matters has already helped raise important issues around the importance of literacy. We are really looking forward to working together to help more children across England receive the vital one-to-one reading support they need in order to give them the best possible start in life.”

Michael Morpurgo said:

“These two wonderful charities Reading Matters and Beanstalk have come together to reach more children and young people who need vital support with their reading. Together they can continue the important work they do in schools with their legions of volunteers to help create readers and change the lives of children through books and reading.”

Michael joins Beanstalk’s other Ambassadors who include TV historian and presenter Dan Snow and comedian and actor Jack Whitehall.

Read more about Michael Morpurgo at www.michaelmorpurgo.com.

Beanstalk is extremely honoured to have such passionate and supportive celebrity Ambassadors. Find out more about who they are here.