A Suffolk author has come up with a novel way of supporting charity St Elizabeth Hospice.
John Raistrick, of Grundisburgh, has donated 250 copies of his first book, a work of fiction called One World, Last Chance, to be sold in aid of the hospice.
He said: “The theme of the book is that we should all try to make the world a better place. It reminded me of the work of St Elizabeth Hospice and their aim to improve people’s lives so I thought it would be a nice idea to use it to support their fundraising efforts. If all 250 books are sold it will raise around £2,500 which will make a difference.”
Mr Raistrick is embarking on a book signing tour to sell the fundraising copies from November 22 to December 2.
Andrea Chupacova, community fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Each special fundraising copy of this book will have a message inside it saying the sale has helped the hospice. It is a simple way for people to support our work and it will make a nice Christmas gift for a relative or friend.”
St Elizabeth Hospice relies on the generosity of the local community to meet the bulk of its £6.6m annual costs to provide their services free of charge.
Retired accountant Mr Raistrick, 68, said he had wanted to write a novel for years but could not pluck up the courage to get started until a fellow accountant convinced him everyone had at least one story to tell.
He said: “For many years I made up short stories and rhymes, especially for children, and always had a story in mind that would make a book. But I lacked the courage to start writing it until another accountant convinced me that everyone had at least one story to tell.
“A lot of the characters are based on people I have met, most of them very ordinary, but having that wonderful quality of goodness that enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they meet. The book is for them.”
He will be signing copies of his book (priced £9.99) on:
Tuesday 22nd Nov: 9.30am-12.30pm Waterstones, 15-19 Buttermarket, Ipswich.
Wednesday 23rd Nov : 9am-11am St Elizabeth Hospice dining hall, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich.
Thursday 24th Nov: 9.30am-12.30pm Woodbridge Library, New Street, Woodbridge.
Thursday 24th Nov: 6.30pm Capel Galleries, Tower Ramparts, Ipswich.
Friday 25th Nov: 11am-12.30pm Magpie Books, 36 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.
Saturday 26th Nov: 9.30am-12.30pm Hadleigh Library, 29 High Street, Hadleigh.
Tuesday 29th Nov: 9.30am-12pm Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road, Felixstowe.
Tuesday 29th Nov 2pm-6pm St Elizabeth Hospice dining hall, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich.
Wednesday 30th Nov: 9.30am-12.30pm Stowmarket Library, Milton Road North, Stowmarket.
Friday 2nd Dec : 1pm-3.30pm The Grundisburgh Dog pub, The Green, Grundisburgh.
To buy the book direct call Andrea Chupacova, St Elizabeth Hospice’s community fundraiser, on 01473 723600.