A BRADFORD-based literacy charity needs volunteers to help reluctant and struggling readers in the city's schools.

The Reading Matters scheme wants to hear from people who could make a big difference to a child's reading ability, confidence and self-esteem.

The appeal for volunteers came at the same time as the charity announced that well-known author and poet Gervase Phinn would be speaking at its fundraising gala dinner on April 25. Last year's dinner raised £12,000 towards helping to improve reading skills of youngsters in Bradford.

Chief executive of Reading Matters Rachel Kelly said: "We are delighted to be holding another gala dinner. The evening is always so much fun but, crucially, the money we raise enables us to help many more children reach their potential by becoming confident readers."

A spokesman for the charity said that a child's reading age would improve by, on average, 15 months after working with one of their reading mentors. In some cases, reading age has shot up by four years.

The mentor works one-to-one with a child for one hour a week over a ten-week period.

One reading mentor, who currently works in a Bradford school, said: "It has been wonderful to see my reading partners improve and develop. They are now happy to read aloud in class and I know they are reading for pleasure at home."

Reading Matters also trains older pupils to be reading leaders for younger children. In addition, it provides training for education staff and workshops for parents and carers.

The charity, which has been placing mentors in schools across Yorkshire since 1997 and worked with more than 4,600 children and young people in the last academic year, will provide full training for successful applicants.

Anyone interested in becoming a reading mentor can contact 01274 692219, 07841 504374 or christine@readingmatters.org.uk.

Tickets for the gala dinner, to be held at the Midland Hotel in Bradford, are £40 each and, along with the opportunity to hear Gervase Phinn, include a drinks reception, three-course dinner, live music and dancing.

Visit www.readingmatters.org.uk or call 01274 692219 for tickets.