Jennifer Garner fights for children's literacy programme

Jennifer Garner testified in front of Kentucky lawmakers, urging them to preserve the budget for an early childhood education programme in the state.

The Hollywood star spoke during a Senate Education Committee hearing on behalf of Save The Children, for which she serves as a trustee and artist ambassador, reported People magazine. Joined by Save the Children Action Network president Mark Shriver, she urged the lawmakers to continue the funding of an annual $941,400 state budget appropriation for literacy initiatives.

"I'm here because I believe so much in Save the Children's early childhood programmes, and I am hoping that you will continue to support them," Garner said.

The actress, who grew up in neighbouring West Virginia, also shared a story of a young mother she met a few years ago who was living in a trailer home in Berea, Kentucky with her four children. Garner told the committee the kids "sprung to life" when a Save the Children home co-ordinator arrived with books, revealing the grateful mum "told over and over again how the programme had changed the course of these kids lives."