A Cheshire charity that assists children from some of the most disadvantaged areas of Ellesmere Port, Chester and Winsford has handed out 7,000 books and 500 activity packs during Covid-19.

Passion for Learning is a volunteer organisation, normally working with children in schools on a 1:1 basis or through its network of after school Enrichment Clubs. The charity aims to support and inspire children who need extra help, whether that’s with their confidence, their reading or a range of other challenges to their learning at school.

Coronavirus not only put a stop to their work, it also meant the charity weren’t able to get any income from the schools. The money committed by funders for future projects was put on hold while schools are closed.

Former teacher and the founder of Passion for Learning, Diane Clark, applied to the Steve Morgan Foundation for help as part of their Covid-19 Emergency Fund and was awarded £12,453.

Diane said: “A lot of the children we work with don’t have a book in their home. Instead of going into schools we’re sending information packs and books to individual homes.

“A lot of schools are staying open for key workers and we’re being inundated with requests from families for help.

“We’ve delivered 7,000 books, 500 activity packs and a lot of Easter Eggs and this wouldn’t have been possible without the help from the Steve Morgan Foundation. We will be continuing to replenish resources while schools are closed. Simply put, we’re trying to cheer people up at this difficult time and keep them happy.”

Diane started Passion for Learning nine years ago and the charity’s army of volunteers now work with 500 children every week.

“We train volunteers to go into schools and offer 1:1 support,” she said. “We also run 13 after-school enrichment clubs in different schools. Every child that we work with will have some type of challenge at home that is rocking their little boat and stopping them from fulfilling their potential. We believe that our support is needed now more than ever by the children who will be most impacted by school closures as a result of the pandemic.”

Steve Morgan, founder of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “One of the things we’re passionate about is giving opportunities to everyone and that’s exactly what Passion for Learning does.

“It’s so important Covid-19 hasn’t stopped that because the need for their services hasn’t gone away. That’s why we were delighted to step in.”