Vivian French will read to children from military families as part of a Reading Force event

A charity is hosting an event with a renowned author to support Forces families.

Reading Force, the shared reading charity for UK military families, will host a special day event at Drumfork Centre, Helensburgh, with award-winning author Vivian French MBE.

The event will launch Reading Force activity to military children from eight local schools, including Colgrain, Hermitage, John Logie Baird, and Rhu Primary Schools. Every child attending will receive a signed book by the author to keep. In addition, children will be given a special Reading Force scrapbook to complete about their book with their families at home.

The Reading Force charity encourages military families to share books, whether at home together or separated by deployments or training – in which case books can be read over the phone, Skype or Facetime. Families find reading the same story and chatting about it creates good communication, keeps families close during separations and provides continuity – best of all it’s fun!

Many military children face interruptions and disruptions to their learning and homelife, and many go to several schools during the course of their education. Reading Force is a useful tool schools can offer their military children as it helps keep families close, can be used as a support during transitions such as military deployment, and with anxiety and confidence issues.

French said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work with military children. My cousins were moved all over the world as my uncle was in the navy - and I know how important books were to them. Reading the same stories - even if one member of the family is far away - brings a wonderful shared experience, and the feeling that mum or dad, or a brother or sister, are still very close at hand.”

The event takes place on Thursday (14 November).