Actor LeVar Burton is rounding up his former Star Trek co-stars for live readings in support of a Kickstarter.com campaign to bring back his popular U.S. children's show Reading Rainbow.

Last month (May14), The Roots actor launched a crowdfunding drive to revive the educational programme on the Internet, quickly reaching his initial goal of $1 million (£625,000) in less than 24 hours.

Burton now aims to raise $5 million (£2.95 million), and in a bid to entice more fans to back the project, he has set a special reward for anyone who donates $1,200 (£708) or more.

A series of four Star Trek reading events will be held in Los Angeles, including one featuring the male castmates Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, and Robert Picardo, and one with the franchise's female stars, Kate Mulgrew, Marina Sirtis, Gates MCFadden, and Jeri Ryan. Former captains Sir Patrick Stewart and William Shatner will also take part.

Burton has raised $3.7 million (£2.12 million) as of Thursday (12Jun14), with 19 days left in the campaign.