Showing posts with label book giver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book giver. Show all posts

Monday, 14 March 2011

The Sanctuary Homeless Shelter

Part two of my book giving journey was at the Sanctuary Homeless shelter in Rushden, Northants, UK. Again with the support of my Husband Dave, we visited on the Sunday after World Book Night, just as they were cooking Sunday dinner for everyone. We met with the Minister Mark who ran the place. It was a great set up.
They had cooking facilities and were able to feed many people, with the help of donations from the public and the supermarkets. They had a clothes rail for the homeless people and I donated a sack of clothes. They had a shower room and a utility room, and temporary bedrooms for the homeless, whilst they were being helped along and given an address so they could move on with their lives.
I donated toiletries and washing powder too.
I gave several books to the staff, volunteers and homeless persons. It was a matter of pride for them to have something of their own.
A very worthwhile cause and some lovely people. It helped remove my previous impressions of a homeless person. They all have stories to tell, some are very sad. They can be from all walks of life, including the armed forces.
We met a lovely man called Paul who had a real tale to tell. If you are interested in hearing his story, he has set up a website so have a look.
http://www.homelessbob.org.uk/editorshistory.htm

WORLD BOOK NIGHT 2011

Well there's no better time to start my blog than around the time of World Book Night 2011.

What a fabulous night we had, my husband and I, in Trafalgar Square, London. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a "book giver", and gave away "Fingersmith, by Sarah Waters", being a book I myself, really enjoyed. It was great to hear so many famous authors, actors and the Mayor of London reading from either their own or their favourite books. With the addition of the hilarious Graham Norton as the evenings host, despite it being very cold outside, the evening was great.

I gave my first book to another book giver at the event, and then my second to another lady who was visiting the event, but not a book giver herself.
We then went to the Strada Italian Restaurant just around the corner and gave a copy to our waitress who was really helpful. She seemed really pleased to receive a copy and went off to show her colleagues. My next copy of the night was given to an American Tourist from New York, who we met whilst in Covent Garden in a small pub up a little side street.

That was all stage one of my book giving.... More was to come.