Production company launches children's book in aid of charity
A small production company has published a children's book to raise money for a Black Country charity.
Funtime Theatre, based in Stourbridge, has published Fairy Flo Has The Christmas Glow for £4.99.
From every sale 50p will be donated to Mary Stevens Hospice, which is also based in Stourbridge.
Will Phipps, 30, from Amblecote, runs the production company alongside Rachel Chadwick, 30, from Wordsley.
Mr Phipps said: "Producing this children's book is something we never thought we would do.
"As an entertainment business, we have been highly affected by Covid so we thought why not make a children's book for people to enjoy.
"During the summer we bought an unlicensed mascot that actually used to belong to Mothercare.
"We bought it off them at auction so we claim Fairy Flo as a mascot for Funtime Theatre so we thought we would write a book.
Kind
"We thought we would give something back to the hospice this year because they have lost so much. It is a nice thing to do for Christmas as a stocking filler.
"The book is about Christmas adventures. It is all snowy where she [Fairy Flo] lives. She doesn't know where to go. She goes to buy a Christmas tree and puts it up at home.
"She learns about Santa and what presents he brings and delivering the gifts at night, what she leaves out on Christmas eve and what she wakes up to on the day."
Mr Phipps paid tribute to illustrator Paul Burke for his "brilliant" artwork in the book.
Amanda Bowen, head of fundraising at Mary Stevens Hospice, said: "The book is an in incredibly kind gesture which will help us support members of our local community in their time of need.
"We can’t wait to gift these books to our loved ones this Christmas."
To buy the book, visit www.funtimetheatre.co.uk. The company is also offering virtual pantomimes which can be bought via the website too.
