A FORMER George Ward pupil joined a team of authors, including world-famous names, to help raise thousands of pounds for CLIC Sargent.
Jenny Kane who was born and raised in Melksham, lined up alongside famous names such as Andy McNab, Lee Child, Lisa Jewell, Nicci French, Peter James and Julie Cohen, in offering readers a chance to become a character in their upcoming books with an auction held for a place in each of the author’s books.
In total £14,480 was raised which far exceeded the previous year’s amount of £4,000.
Jenny’s latest book ‘Abi’s House’ will be released on Saturday 13th June with a special dedication to Dennyside Bowling Association who won the auction to be included in Jenny’s book.
The UK-wide, bowling club based charity, was started by Leonard Denny in 1935. In 2014 they raised just over £40,000 for various good causes. As a result of their successful auction bid the character Jacob Denny – a perfect name for a Cornish potter and a generous tribute to Dennyside’s founder – will be introduced into the upcoming book.
The authors were supporting CLIC Sargent’s 10-day Get in Character eBay auction and raised thousands of pounds for children and young people with cancer
Jenny, who has had hits such as ‘Another Cup of Coffee’ which sold more than 70,000 copies and ‘Christmas in the Cotswolds’ which sold more than 65,000 copies is delighted to be a part of the fundraising appeal.
She said, “It feels amazing to be a part of something so special and to see my name alongside those famous authors is great.
“I was flattered to be approached by CLIC Sargent, after one of their volunteers had read and enjoyed my ‘Another Cup of Coffee’ series and I feel overjoyed by it.
“It is not the first time I have raised money for CLIC as I remember fundraising for them when I was a pupil at Aloeric, so to be doing it again feels like I have come full circle.”
Authors who donated character names in support of CLIC Sargent cover a wide range of genres – from crime and psychological thrillers, to romance and racy chick-lit.