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The storybook adventure of two Jersey boys turned superheroes has raised £10,000 for charity.
At the end of last year, Colin Macleod, the Chief Executive Officer of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, published his first book. It followed the adventures of his two sons Harris and Lewis as they are whisked off to a secret land and transformed into superheroes, HammerHead and Captain StinkyPants.
‘Bedtime stories have always been a special part of being a father. Harris and Lewis aren’t content with off-the-shelf stories, they want to be at the heart of them, deciding how the adventures should twist and turn,’ he said.
‘Writing them down was my legacy to them but like our bedtime stories, the idea grew and grew, and I decided to publish a book with all of the profits going to charity. On a day-to-day basis, I very proudly lead a business that is at the heart of island life and I wanted to choose charities that mirrored that community focus. I’m utterly delighted that we have managed to raise so much money for Help A Guernsey Child and Variety, the Children’s Charity of Jersey.
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society sold the books in its stores at no cost so that all the money raised could go to the charities. As well as sales of the book, the money was raised through an auction of the first 10 books off the printing press and three signed original pieces of artwork.
Sandra Auckland from Variety said the £6,000 they have received will be used to benefit pupils at Mont a L’Abbe school and to help a young islander with complex needs become more mobile.
‘The needs of the youngsters at Mont a L’Abbe are diverse due to the age range and the complexity of their severe, profound or multiple learning difficulties. We plan to use part of this significant donation for a school project and then the remainder for something which will specifically benefit a young Jersey girl. I am looking forward to showing Mr Mcleod and his sons the difference this money has made,’ said Mrs Auckland.
Help A Guernsey Child will receive £4,000 which chairman Peter Webber said would be used to help local young people in need.
‘It can be very easy to forget how disadvantaged some young people in the island are. Help A Guernsey Child has assisted hundreds of children at times when they need it the most and this money will allow us to help even more. There are so many deserving charities and we are very grateful to Mr Macleod, his sons and customers of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society for supporting Help A Guernsey Child,’ he said.
Mr Macleod said that while the whole experience has been enjoyable, he has no plans to become a full-time author.
‘It’s been far more challenging than I expected. Publishing a children’s book is much more than a few words and some great pictures. It was a constant learning curve and a real privilege. I particularly enjoyed visiting schools across the islands to share the adventures of HammerHead and Captain StinkyPants with local children. Who knows where their adventures will lead them next,’ he said.
Meet HammerHead and Captain StinkyPants is exclusively available from all Channel Islands Co-operative Society stores priced at £9.99.
