Poet’s new book after brother’s death
A writer has released a collection of poems about loss and bereavement including works by his brother who died in park after taking a drink and drugs cocktail.
Jonathan Terranova, 28, wrote the anthology Longing For More, which was launched at an event at Drakes pub in Fairmeadow, Maidstone. The event was held more than a year following his brother Benjamin’s death in 2016 in Whatman Park.
The 50 poems are separated into two sections exploring his feelings around the tragedy and include two by Benjamin.
The Maidstone resident said: “In 2016 I lost my brother to addiction and I had quite a lot of time where I had two months off work and I was writing a lot, the collection came together quite organically.”
“I wanted to celebrate his talent because I didn’t want it to be all gloom.”
Mr Terranova, who works caring for autistic adults in the Maidstone area, will be reading work from the book at the Little Roc Café in Rochester High Street at an event from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday.
He will also be performing at the Vicar’s Picnic festival in Yalding which takes place on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 and is running a tent through Factotum Promotions, an organisation he founded to promote local arts events.
Longing For More, published by independent literary organisation Wordsmithery, is available online at wordsmithery.info for £10. An IT and telecoms support provider has chosen a Kent hospice as its charity of the year.
Infinity Group, one of Kent’s largest support providers, has announced it will support Heart of Kent Hospice through various fundraising activities this year.
Rob Young managing director at Infinity Group, said: “Heart of Kent Hospice has been providing an outstanding service for the people of Kent for the past 26 years. “Myself and co-director Phil Jones chose Heart of Kent Hospice as our charity for 2018 as we recognise how financially challenging it is to run a hospice of that scale.”
He added: “Having both been shown around the hospice and having spoken to patients and their families, we could see how our fundraising efforts would help to make a real difference to people’s lives and wellbeing during a very challenging time. We look forward to raising as much money as possible for the hospice this year.”
Over the years the company has helped to raise more than £30,000 for local charities and not-for-profit organisations, by organising and sponsoring various fundraising events and making charitable donations.
This year they will be participating in events including the Heart of Kent Hospice dragon boat race, corporate go karting at Buckmore Park, and will supply volunteer support for other hospice events.
The hospice was established in 1991 and cares for more than 1,300 patients and their families every year.
Care is free but it costs £4 million a year to provide its services. Around £3 million of the running costs come from the generosity of fundraisers. The hospice offers day care, plus inpatient services.