Hastings retired teacher teams up with Ark Alexandra Academy student to create book for children's charity
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All sales from Chris Sanderson’s book ‘Annie Ant Makes Friends’ will be donated to charity Demelza, which provides hospice care for children.
While she wrote the story many years ago, Chris was unable to publish it as she could not find anyone to illustrate it.
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Hide AdAfter her neighbour mentioned that her granddaughter, Twig Otos, 15, had a particular passion for art, the two teamed up to complete and finally publish the book.
Before she retired, Chris taught English overseas, supported the children of asylum seekers who couldn’t speak English, and then worked with people with dyslexia, which sparked an interest in people’s different strengths.
At 79, she said this is the most ‘most important lesson’ she has learned in life – to accept people for what they are.
This is the message that radiates throughout the story of Annie the Ant, as the main character meets a variety of insects who are unhappy with certain elements of themselves, such as a moth that wishes it had colourful wings like a butterfly, and a seven-spot ladybird with six spots.
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Hide AdShe said: “I sort of built it up over time and that is the message I’d like to pass on to my children and grandchildren.”
Demelza provides clinical care, therapies, specialised activities and practical support to children across East Sussex, both in the comfort of their own home, as well as from the charity’s St Leonards branch.
Katherine Cordrey, head of regional fundraising and events at Demelza, said: “A huge thank you to Chris for donating the profits from her book ‘Annie Ant makes friends’ to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
“85 per cent of our funding comes from our supporters and their generosity helps us to provide specialist care and emotional support for children with serious or terminal conditions across East Sussex, Kent and London – thank you.”
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Hide AdThe book is available to buy at The Hastings Bookshop in Trinity Road, as well as Bookbuster in Queen’s Road, and every penny goes to Demelza.
For more information about the charity, visit: www.demelza.org.uk.