A NEW book aiming to fund the majority of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Magnolia House Appeal had its first reading in front of over a hundred youngsters and their parents.
‘The Unstoppable Maggie McGee’ is being published by Birmingham-based commercial financial service, Wesleyan.
The service is aiming to raise £750,000 for the hospital’s Magnolia House Appeal.
The hospital’s aim is to raise £1 million pounds so a new area can be built within the hospital to provide families with a place to have time to think and where both siblings and parents can come together for support and peace.
The book has been written by Moseley-based author Juliet Clare Bell and illustrated by Coventry artist Dave Gray.
A premiere reading of the book took place at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – and Juliet herself performed the story of Maggie and her friend Sol as they use their imaginations to escape the confines of the hospital to go on adventures.
Every penny from the £6 cover price will go to the Magnolia House Appeal, with Wesleyan covering the costs for publication and postage.
Liz McKenzie, Wesleyan’s chief operating officer, said: “As part of our fundraising activity, we wanted to do something that would involve the children and have a long lasting impact that would be unique to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“Juliet and Dave have done a fantastic job in bringing the children’s ideas to life and have created something children will enjoy reading themselves and have being read to them.”
Louise McCathie, director of fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “To have a children’s book written, illustrated and published specifically for us is something very special.
“It’s a story that was inspired by the children and the surroundings of the hospital – we can’t wait for people to read it.”
Copies of ‘The Unstoppable Maggie McGee’ can be pre-ordered by visiting www.unstoppablemaggie.co.uk – the book will be available to buy on November 11.
