CHILDREN who may not have books to read at home are benefitting from a donation to their school library.

Swindon Soroptimists visited Drove Primary, in Drove Road, as a follow-up to World Book Day, to present around 75 reading books and take part in a special assembly.

It is the fourth year the group has given books to the school. The aim is to help them steadily build up the school library.

Reception teacher Bryony Bardwell said: “The books we have donated to us by the Soroptimists mean a huge amount. Lots of our children don’t have books at home or don’t get read to by their parents on a regular basis. By having a range of books to read for pleasure, rather than our levelled books, the children begin to develop that love of reading across a range of genres.”

In a special assembly, the school’s teachers and reception class pupils welcomed the visitors, while Soroptimists’ president Valerie Nuttall introduced fellow members Jackie Webb and Lydia Cardew, who spoke about their aims and their work. The children then performed a song and dance about pirates.

Soroptimist project officer Lydia Cardew said: “World Book Day is apt as it is particularly aimed at encouraging children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.”

The Soroptimists are part of the international voluntary women’s organisation dedicated to improving the lives and status of women and girls through education and empowerment.