A BRADFORD-based charity that has helped tens of thousands of young people improve their reading skills is set to mark its 20th anniversary.

Reading Matters, which was set up in 1997, trains both adults and young people to become “reading mentors” for children to help boost their literacy levels. It will hold a charity ball on Saturday, March 11, from 6.30pm, at the Midland Hotel, Bradford.

All of the proceeds from the ball will go to Reading Matters.

The charity also runs workshops to give parents the skills to help their children improve their literacy levels.

There will be auctions held during the evening, which will also feature a three-course meal, and the screening of a short film to commemorate 20 years of the charity.

Reading Matters will also mark its anniversary with a conference held at Bradford City’s Valley Parade ground on June 29 called Closing the Literacy Gap and featuring workshops and speakers discussing the best ways of improving literacy skills in young people of all backgrounds.

For more information on ball tickets, go to readingmatters.org.uk/get-involved/events/reading-matters-charity-ball-2017.