AN Ellesmere Port charity is working with schools across Cheshire so children can keep reading and learning during the coronavirus crisis.

Passion for Learning is helping to deliver thousands of educational and creative equipment for children to get stuck into while the schools are closed.

CEO Diane Clark explained: "We recognise the massive impact which schools being closed will have on all children and we are committed to doing all we can to help families at this difficult time.

"With the support of the Steve Morgan Foundation and Williams Family Foundation, we are purchasing and delivering thousands of books, games, craft activities and play materials to help children have fun while they are learning at home."

Passion for Learning is ensuring these resources are distributed with the help of a number of local primary schools across the region.

Passion for Learning is a volunteer organisation which normally supports children 1:1 during the school day or through its network of enrichment clubs which take place after school.

Diane explained: "I founded Passion for Learning nine years ago from the boot of my car, with the mission to help all children have the opportunities to learn and thrive in the school environment.

"Our work is all about providing unique experiences and the dedicated nurture and attention of our wonderful volunteers to the children who need it the most.

"We are fortunate to have a really dedicated team of volunteers from the community who make the most incredible difference to the children they see each week in schools.

"What is really inspiring is how our whole team is pulling together to continue to support the children, even during this critical period when schools are closed and we are on lockdown."

Ruth Dixon, enrichment clubs manager for Passion for Learning, added: "We are all working hard to get resources together and deliver them to the schools which are remaining open as hubs for their local communities.

"We are delighted with how the schools are partnering with us to distribute resources to individual families and planning how to keep this channel of distribution open over the coming weeks and months."

Louise Parry, volunteer manager at Passion for Learning, said: "Our wonderful volunteers are just as committed to supporting the children even during the school closure period.

"We have been exchanging letters between the children and their volunteers so they can keep each other posted on how they are doing and what they are most looking forward to doing when schools reopen.’

Diane added: "We are so grateful for all the donations of resources and vital funding which we need to sustain our service at the current time.

"We especially value the support from Stanlaw Abbey Business Centre to enable us to keep operating and co-ordinating the distribution of resources at the current time.

"I would welcome enquiries from anyone interested to know more about our work or how to get involved with what we do. Please email me on diane.clark@passion-for-learning.com to get in touch."