The View from The Shard names Booktrust as first charity partner

The Children's Reading Fund will help disadvantaged children aged between four and 11 years old to improve their educational outlook through reading and writing.

The fund will have a special focus on children in care, children with additional needs and socially or economically disadvantaged children.

The new initiative was launched this week with a reception in the Shard viewing galleries on Thursday night.

"Reading is one of the most fundamental skills in life," says Andy Nyberg, chief executive of The View from The Shard.

"Literacy is not just about being able to effectively communicate and the benefits this provides, it also about unlocking the joy of stories that every child should be able to experience.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Booktrust. For decades the charity has been helping children and adults discover reading and we are proud to support this new initiative for the most disadvantaged children in the UK. We look forward to working with the charity."

Booktrust chief executive Viv Bird added: 'We already support some 5,000 children in care with the Letterbox Club and this has been incredibly successful.

"With this new fund and our partnership with The View from The Shard we plan to extend our reach to include more children – those who are most disadvantaged in society: children in care, children who are blind or deaf, and those whose families simply can't get access to books in these harsh economic times."

The attraction has this week hosted a number of preview events for local organisations including Better Bankside, Team London Bridge and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

This week thousands of Southwark residents and school pupils will visit the top of the Shard before the first paying visitors are welcomed on 1 February.