The Vision for Literacy Business Pledge is an initiative for businesses committed to tackling poor literacy rates in the UK by taking action in three specific areas: in their workforce, in their local area and at a national level.

Just before Christmas, 40 children, together with their families, enjoyed the festivities organised and hosted by a team of Prinovis UK employees – dressed as a cast of Christmas characters – at the headquarters of The Reader Organisation, the Liverpool-based charity that promotes reading as a practical way to develop good mental health.

The event which took place on 22 December, included readings, party food, games, craft activities and a visit to Santa’s Grotto, where Penguin Random House had donated gifts of books. A raffle also raised £195 in aid of The Reader Organisation.

The party’s finale was a performance by the Prinovis UK team of the Dr Seuss story How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Prinovis UK commercial project manager Matthew Cox said: “It was a great day and really well received.

“The children were really pleased at the books they were given and there were positive responses all round about all of the activities.”

HR director Vicci Tatton added: “Significantly, as one of the inaugural signatories of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge, we were able to promote the importance of literacy and have some fun along the way.”

Prinovis UK, which recently became 100%-owned by Bertelsmann, will hold a series of other events later this year including a workplace reading challenge, sponsored literacy events and outreach with local schools.

Its work as part of the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2016 also supports the goals of other high-profile literacy campaigns including 'Read On. Get On.' and the Fair Education Alliance.