World Book Day

Staff and volunteers at a Birmingham children's literacy charity were lost for words following a payroll giving donation from a local business.

To coincide with World Book Day (Thursday 3^rd March), generous employees at Advanced Personnel Management (APM) made a £400 donation to Beanstalk West Midlands from its award-winning payroll giving scheme.

The money will be put towards new resources, giving local children access to the latest books to support their reading.

"This donation from APM will go towards new books for children," said Liz Gordon-Smith, who is responsible for bringing through new volunteers to Beanstalk.

"Our shelves contain annuals dating back to 2008 and some of them age quickly. At the moment children love books by Julia Donaldson - The Gruffalo, Stickman and Room on a Broom - so we'll be able to purchase some much welcomed new copies just in time for World Book Day!"

Beanstalk is a National children's literacy charity, with its Birmingham hub responsible for recruiting local volunteers to support primary school children across Birmingham and Solihull with their reading.

Liz added: "Our volunteers are very diverse. On the one hand we have many that have retired and want to give something back to their local communities.

"We also have many younger people who are maybe taking a year out before or after university and want some exposure to a schools environment as they may have aspirations to be a teacher."

Children get referred to Beanstalk for many reasons. Youngsters can differ in the speed that they learn, there may be a confidence issue or perhaps a child doesn't respond in a classroom environment.

APM's Head of Marketing, Paul King said: "As a business that supports people from all walks of life into employment, we're passionate about supporting our local communities.

"We are delighted to make a contribution to a charity that does so much to help young people in the development of skills that will ultimately support their employability in later life."