I had the privilege of growing up with access to as many books as I could get my hands on which fostered a love of reading so great I decided to make a living out it. But the same can't be said for thousands of children across the UK. Reading is such a vital component in a child's development yet a shocking number don't have access to books. There is plenty of research which proves how detrimental this can be and the National Literacy Trust works hard to support children and young people to give them the best possible start to life.

So to support this incredible cause, this January I will be taking part in an Arctic Challenge- a four-day endurance expedition in northern Sweden, inside the arctic circle. The accommodation is a basic base camp lodge with no electricity, internet or home comforts.

We'll spend 4 days in sub-zero temperatures with a maximum of 5 hours of daylight per day, and undergo various endurance challenges including:

• An orienteering challenge finishing on a frozen lake, boring a hole through which to fish for dinner

• 35km dog sledding time trial

• A gruelling 20km cross-country skiing race

It's no marathon but it's still pretty tough and for those of you who know how unfit I am, I hope you can appreciate what a challenge this will be. Suffice to say I am now working hard on my cardio endurance (an astonishing feat in itself) in the hopes of actually completing this.

Below is more detail on what the NLT does, I hope you will take the time to read!

THE COST OF LITERACY CRISIS

• The number of children aged 5-8 years who don’t own a book is 1 in 5 (20%), and this number is rising.

• Last year, over 185,000 5 year olds in England started school without the communication and language skills they need to thrive.

• Low literacy has lifelong consequences. It not only affects learning, confidence and well-being during their early school days, but means children are MUCH more likely to struggle with their GCSEs and end up unemployed by their 30s.

• The disadvantage gap in early literacy skills is costing England over £800 Million a year

• 9 children in every single reception class is already falling behind

HOW THE NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST CAN HELP

• There are already projects and people placed in disadvantaged communities supporting families, filling libraries, training teachers and helping school leavers into their first jobs.

• Donations will go towards expanding this vital work to change more stories in priority areas.

• Where you were born and how wealthy your parents are shouldn’t dictate where you end up.

• Empowering more children to shape their own future.