Billingshurst boy creates book to support the NHS
A seven-year-old boy from Billingshurst has raised more than £1,000 after challenging himself to write and illustrate a book after being inspired by Captain Tom Moore.
Wisborough Green School pupil Harry Law has so far raised £1,460 for the NHS with his book ‘The Lost Diamonds of the Underground’.
He came up with the idea while watching Captain Tom who raised millions for the NHS by walking laps of his garden in Bedfordshire in the run up to his 100th birthday.
Alison Palmer, Harry’s mum, said: “Harry loved watching Captain Tom’s fundraising amount go up and up and had been looking for a way to raise money for the NHS.
“Harry said he wanted to write and illustrate his ideas and then sit outside the front of our house trying to sell it to passers by – which we didn’t think that was a good idea as he definitely wouldn’t keep 2m apart – but we did think that would be a very big challenge for him and a good way to raise money. We were hoping to raise £100!
“It took Harry hours and hours to complete but he was very determined.
“We are immensely proud that Harry wanted to do something to help other people and we can’t believe the support he has received from friends, family, Wisborough Green School and local community.”
Harry’s story centres around a tiger, snake and armadillo who find a map in the Congo and decide to go on an adventure in search of the lost diamonds of the underground.
The idea to create a book for charity came after being set a class home learning task, of writing a story map, by his proud teacher Miss Summerfield, who has since written to Harry to congratulate him for the inspirational amount he has raised for charity.
Mum Alison said: “At his age they aren’t expected to write a story, but Harry had so much fun using his imagination and talking about his characters.
“He was desperate to write the book and draw the pictures. Before lockdown he had never sat down and done any art outside school. He’s too busy running around, riding his bike, swimming, playing cricket etc. He had never written a story or drawn a picture off his own back before.
“He got a how to draw cartoons book and got practising and after a lot of effort produced this book.”
The youngster decided he wanted the money raised by his book go towards supporting the mental health of frontline workers affected by the coronavirus following an age-appropriate chat with his parents about the pandemic and its affects on mental health.
The NHS is also a cause close to the family’s heart, with Harry’s dad, Alan, being a physiotherapist and mum, Alison, an occupational therapist and counsellor.
Harry said: “I want to raise as much money as possible for the frontline workers, I hope it can help them feel better.
“It must have been very scary for them and they did and are doing a great job helping us.
“I couldn’t believe it when Captain Tom Moore liked my Dad’s post [On Twitter] and I’m really happy other boys and girls have said they want to write books too now!”
Todonate,visithttps://www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ alison-palmer?utm_ term=9qxZBA25W
To get a copy of the book, email alipalm@gmail.com or put your email address on the donation section of the JustGiving page and Alison will email or post a copy of the book.