KM’s Year of Reading campaign was officially launched this week at an event attended by more than 200 delegates from schools and charities in the county.

The campaign aims to trumpet the work delivered in the county to improve the literacy skills of adults from vulnerable groups as well as children of all abilities.

Central to the campaign will be the KM Charity Team’s home reading initiative – Buster’s Book Club – that turns children into reading millionaires through its inter-class and inter-school home reading challenges.

But it will also focus on high profile events including the Kent Literacy Awards and Kent Teacher of the Year Awards to showcase excellence in the classroom and community.

In Medway one of the campaign’s celebrity supporters, Phil Gallagher, star of Mister Maker, dropped in on Twydall Primary School to launch the campaign in Medway schools. He read a story to the school before naming Chery Class as the top readers in the school and awarding the children ice skating vouchers provided by Silver Blades ice skating rink.

Geraldine Allinson, Chairman of the KM Group, said: “It is so important that people are able to read and write. In this day and age if people don’t have those skills it is very difficult to get on in this modern world. We want to highlight those in our county helping to fulfill people’s potential.”

Phil Gallagher, star of Mister Maker, said: “I am so proud to visit Twydall Primary School to be able to launch KM’s Year of Reading.”

Cllr Michael Northey from Kent County Council’s education committee, said: “KCC is delighted to support KM’s Year of Reading because literacy and reading and so important for your self-development and your personal enjoyment of life. It is so important to get children reading and enjoying it as soon as possible.”

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: “We have a number of exciting new initiatives planned to be launched over the coming months to support this very exciting campaign.”

Mr Dolby briefed delegates at the Forum, staged at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, about the beta version of the educational charity’s new app which challenges primary school children with spellings appropriate to their year group. The event was supported by Kreston Reeves, Jelf insurance, Specsavers, 3Rs teacher recruitment, Countrystyle Recycling, Kent Reliance and Eurostar.

To find out how to join the campaign visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk