From teenagers still in school to retired senior citizens, 469 volunteers were honoured this evening for their efforts in helping needy children improve their literacy skills.

They form part of the 1400 volunteers under this year's edition of kidsREAD, a nation-wide reading scheme organised by the National Library Board (NLB).

Held annually since 2004, kidsREAD ropes in volunteers to read to underprivileged kids to cultivate an early love of reading in them. It has since reached out to more than 20,000 children.

Award recipients at this evening's ceremony had logged at least 40 hours a year with the programme, with the top volunteers receiving "platinum" awards for putting in more than 100 hours into the project.