Charity kids’ book launch

A CHILDREN’S book charity project by former Çatalköy resident Bill Haley BEM which aims to provide a free story book for disadvantaged children is due to launch at Karakum’s Best Seller bookshop this week.

Beautifully illustrated by local artist Pam Schofield, the Englishlanguage publication for four- to nine-year-olds was supported by a March 2016 Children in Need Foundation (CiNF) fundraiser at Karaoğlanoğlu’s Mountain View Hotel. However, the launch will take place without its author, who is in the UK.

Mrs Schofield said: “I just provided the artwork and am continuing to promote the book. Without Bill’s imagination there would be no pictures but, sadly, health issues have prevented him from being here.”

She said that the 11am-2pm launch on Tuesday aimed to fund a Turkish version which would be given out to special schools, schools and children’s homes and had attracted the interest of the Cultural Department.

“Bill was deeply affected when he learnt that children could not keep books once they left the children’s home, as they were retained for other occupants,” she said.

“It was this that inspired him to write the book with characters named after his grandchildren, so that every child could have their own book forever.

“He is over the moon about the launch and very sad that he cannot be with us.”

Mr Haley lived in Çatalköy for over eight years before he returned to the UK for health reasons two years ago.

Mrs Schofield said 300 copies had been published and that the project had the continued support of former CiNF chairman Mally Torris, who will also attend the launch.

She added: “We only need to sell 150 copies to fund the next stage and they are already selling well.

“We are hoping that customers will contribute over and above the 35TL minimum price we have recommended.”

She thanked all who had supported the project, with a special mention for Turkish Cypriot liaison and translation by Hatice Kerimgil.