Shortly after schools closed and the UK went into lockdown due to COVID-19, Very.co.uk and Coram Beanstalk launched the Storytime series of videos. Keeping the kids busy, entertained and, in many cases, home schooled during this period was a big task facing parents and carers but with the help of some famous faces and volunteer reading helpers our aim was to share some wonderful children’s stories and reach as many children, parents and carers across the UK as we could to encourage home reading through the Storytime sessions. 

Now the Very Group have launched a fundraising campaign, #123story, to help Coram Beanstalk reach more children in need of our support.

Sadly, last year a quarter of children didn’t meet the expected level of language before they started primary school, 1 in 4 children left primary school not able to read well and a third of students failed to achieve a good grade in English language GCSE or equivalent. This was the situation before COVID-19 hit.

Unfortunately, the pandemic and school closures has meant children, especially the most disadvantaged who needed extra support before, are now at severe risk of falling even further behind.

To help us raise vital funds for our work its very easy to get involved:

1. Share this template on your preferred social media account, telling us what your favourite books was as a child;
2. Tag two friends to do the same;
3. Donate just £3 or whatever you can spare here.

By taking part in this challenge and donating to this campaign, we can take on the task to ensure that no child falls further behind and no child goes without the support they need when they return to school. We want every child to leave school with the skills and confidence to reach their true potential and control their own lives rather than being at a disadvantage.

Every child should have a chance live a fulfilled life. Reading makes a difference. Help us make more difference to more children’s lives.