AN INSPIRATIONAL book, produced by a Coventry woman, is set to benefit local children as her family donate the work to support youngsters in need.
Riddly Rhymes Animals in the Wild, writted by Chris Redshaw of Finham, was being sold online before the 67-year-old passed away earlier this year.
The unfortunate passing means 1,000 copies of the book will now go to midlands based charity, Live Love Laugh Foundation.
The charity, which supports children taken into emergency care, is to hand out copies of the book as part of the ‘Buddy Bag’ scheme – which provides rucksacks of essential items to local children rescued from situations of domestic violence.
Jennie Cooke, 36, whose two-year-old son her mum dedicated the book to, ensured her and her brother, Adam Redshaw, 41, wanted the books to go to good use.
Jennie said: “When we were growing up mum was always reading to us – she was passionate about children’s learning and development even down to the way she produced the book.
“When she passed away she had a stock pile of books and we wanted to do something useful with them.
“We were at a domestic violence shelter event when one of the volunteers described the Buddy Bags and it just sounded like the kind of thing Mum would have been supportive of.”
Karen Williams, of Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, who set up the Live Love Laugh foundation in January after being moved by a similar scheme run in Australia, said the charity was touched by the generous donation from the family.
She added: “The children we support often leave home at short notice so leave many of their own comforts and possessions behind.
“This can be a very traumatic and distressing time so the idea behind the Buddy Bag scheme is to provide each child with a bag they can call their own.
“Inside are essential items like pyjamas and toothbrushes but also special toys such as this book which can provide comfort and become personal treasures and keep sakes.
“The Live Love Laugh Foundation couldn’t be more grateful that Mrs Redshaw’s family has donated Riddly Rhymes.
“It is a fabulous book and it will be a real comfort for the children to receive such a special gift.”
More information on the Live Laugh Love Foundation as well as the Buddy Bag scheme is available at www.lll.foundation
