A LITERACY charity that helps children across the region improve their reading has been recognised in America for its work.

Beanstalk, which recruits volunteers to help North-East schoolchildren with their reading, has won The International Prize at the 2015 US Library of Congress Literacy Awards, which includes a $50,000 donation.

The Literacy Awards programme is sponsored by American philanthropist David Rubenstein to help support organisations working to alleviate illiteracy in the US and worldwide.

The International Prize is awarded to an organisation which has had a significant and measurable impact in increasing literacy skills outside of the United States.

Through one-to-one literacy support provided by Beanstalk trained reading helpers, a child’s reading ability is transformed, with 93 per cent of children making progress.

Janet Skeen, Beanstalk’s area manager for the North-East, said: “Recognition by the US Library of Congress for our work is a major honour for Beanstalk and is a testament to the hard-work, dedication, and enthusiasm of our trained reading helpers.

“It is thanks to them that we are able to transform the lives of children in the North-East and ensure that they have the skills, confidence and imagination to reach their true potential.”

The $50,000 prize will be used to fund more Beanstalk-trained reading helpers and ensure that more children in the North-East are able to reach their true potential.