Date published: 02 September 2021 by Amber Hemming
A Rainbow Trust Family Support Manager has written and published a new children’s book called Buddy and the English Lady to raise money for seriously ill children and their families.
Maggie Hampton, a member of Rainbow Trust's Essex Care team, wrote the true story whilst on furlough for five months in 2020. The book tells the tale about bedraggled stray dog Buddy, who befriended her in Italy while she was renovating an old farmhouse in 2011.
The Essex Care team of Family Support Workers provide practical and emotional support to almost 100 families who have a life-threatened or terminally ill child. With first-hand knowledge of our work, Maggie wanted to do something to help and decided that Buddy could be the answer.
The story, suitable for children aged seven to nine, follows Maggie’s adventures with the stray dog as he befriends ‘the English lady’ and settles into his new home but keeps disappearing! Children can also have fun learning a few Italian words with Buddy’s Italian speech bubbles and through two pages of simple Italian / English words and phrases at the end of the book.
The story, with illustrations by Allen Edwards, is now available to buy on Amazon with all profits donated to Rainbow Trust.
Maggie said:
“It has been wonderful to see my memories of Buddy brought to life through the publication of this book. It had been a long-held aspiration of mine to write the book, but I had never put pen to paper. So, when the pandemic hit and I was furloughed for five months, I decided to use the time to do something positive for Rainbow Trust – particularly as charities have been so dramatically impacted by COVID-19.
“I am immensely proud of the book and am incredibly thankful to everyone who has helped to make it happen, including Allen Edwards for his wonderfully characterful illustrations, Lisa Lanfranchi for the artwork and to my corporate sponsor, SS&C Technologies, who kindly funded the printing of the book so that every pound raised from sales go directly to Rainbow Trust. I hope everyone will enjoy the story of the dog who definitely adopted me!”
Zillah Bingley, Chief Executive of Rainbow Trust, who has written the forward for the book said:
“I am sure young readers (and not so young) will enjoy this wonderful story that transports its audience to rural Italy and the canine adventures with Buddy that await!
“Maggie is not only an excellent and creative writer, but also an exceptional member of our care team management at Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. The charity provides vital support to families with a seriously ill child, and we are incredibly grateful that Maggie has chosen to support us through the sale of her beautiful book.”
To purchase Buddy and the English Lady visit Amazon.
