MORE than £17,000 was raised for a Bradford-based charity at a star studded gala dinner in the city’s Midland Hotel.

Reading Matters supports young people who struggle with literacy, and last year helped 4,600 children improve their reading skills.

On Saturday night, the charity held its annual fundraising gala dinner. The £17,000 raised included match funding from Barclays Bank which will go towards the charity’s work.

Yorkshire-born author and public speaker Gervase Phinn entertained just under 200 guests with a humorous and poignant after dinner speech.

Look North’s Harry Gration also spoke of how reading had made a positive impact on his life and aspirations, starting out with books on football and cricket as a child in Bradford.

Reading Matters’ Chief Executive, Rachel Kelly said: “We are thrilled with the amount raised and the wonderful atmosphere at the event tonight. This money will make a big difference to those children and young people that have a real chance of reaching their potential through the one on one reading intervention that we provide.”