Published:
12:22 22 August 2022
A Norfolk author hopes her book about a mischievous hedgehog will raise money for two charities.
Phillipa Bonomally, 70, wrote The Cathedral Hedgehogs for children aged four to eight.
The book, which has a Christmas theme, costs £5 and the proceeds will be split between East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) and Hedgehog Haven Relief Center in North Walsham.
Ms Bonomally said of the book: ‘It kept me going through the lockdown and the idea came when my cousin found an evil baby hedgehog in her garden. She lives in Cathedral Close.
“We took him to the vet and thankfully he made a full recovery. That’s what made me want to write a children’s story.
“The main character is a naughty hedgehog called Benedict, born in a compost heap belonging to the Bishop of Norwich.
“The book is in two parts and I left it at the top of the cathedral spire at the end of the first floor. I then wrote a sequel to knock it off.”
In Part 2, Benedict has to be rescued by a steeplejack and sets off on a grand adventure, engaging in all sorts of mischief and encountering other animals, including other hedgehogs, an owl and a group of singing bats. . He also has a scratch with a hungry badger.
‘The Cathedral Hedgehog’, written and illustrated by Phillippa Bonomally, on display at the EACH store in Cromer.
– Credit: EACH
Two hundred copies of the book were printed and signed ‘With love from Benedict and Phillipa’.
They are on sale at EACH stores in Unthank Road, Norwich and Cromer.
Ms Bonomally, who lives in Costessey, said: ‘I’m very proud of it and the black and white illustrations came out well.
“I am delighted to support two very special charities. I love hedgehogs, so I wanted to support Hedgehog Haven.
“As for EACH, it’s hard to think of a better or more worthy charity right here in the heart of our community.”
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions.
Marian Grimes of Hedgehog Haven cares for dozens of hedgehogs in a specially equipped building at the back of her home, feeding the piglets until they are big enough to be released into the wild.