Island author Anne Holley has just published an enchanting and funny book about the fundraising exploits of ‘Rosie’ over many years which have taken her from the Island as far away as the Grand Canyon.
This new book is a light-hearted account of how Rosie takes on diverse challenges to raise money for her favourite charities. They test her courage, sheer strength of character and most importantly her sense of humour. Her 5 stories will have her readers laughing from beginning to end.
Her first project came about when she was a hairdresser in a local day centre. She noticed the wealth of needlework talent of the users in the craft room and had the idea of finding a supply of dolls, the women making clothes for them, and selling them to buy extra equipment for the craft room. Rosie took on the tasks of finding dolls, making patterns and buying material and trimmings.
Next up was the invitation to be a life model for a drawing class, never to have thought about such a role before. The money was good and could be donated to The Earl Mountbatten Hospice where she had been working as a pamperer. Rosie tells us of her panic and wild preparations and eventual posing experience.
Again, while working at the Hospice, someone knowing Rosie’s interest in fundraising came to ask if she had a wet suit? Yes she says. Would you like to be rescued from the River Medina by a giant dog then, I’m sure lots of people would sponsor you.
Living on the Isle of Wight it’s difficult not to notice the iconic Spinnaker Tower sprouting out of Portsmouth, whenever in the northeast of the Island. It’s well known that people regularly abseil down the outside for charity so it was only a matter of time before someone dared Rosie to take on the challenge herself.
Rosie’s most impressive project, so far(?) was a walking holiday to the United States where she raised money for the Island’s ‘Ability Dogs For Young People’ charity. The holiday took her initially to Las Vegas and then walking in the deserts of Nevada culminating in a rim to rim walk into and out of the Grand Canyon over 2 days.
The book is available through Amazon Books, Waterstones website and some Isle of Wight bookshops.
Nice, the Isle of Wight is packed with some really creative people.