Sussex’s Centenarian Dame Vera Lynn Honoured With Puzzle Book
Puzzler Media, best known for its market-leading puzzle titles, has paid tribute to the music icon and long-time Sussex resident by producing a souvenir charting Dame Vera Lynn’s life and work.
The 100-page book celebrates Dame Vera’s centenary year, while also raising money for her charity. A donation from each sale of The Forces’ Sweetheart will go to Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.
Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity was established in 2001 and has since helped more than 500 families across the South East. It provides specialist services for families with children under the age of five who have cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties.
Parents and children learn living skills together using the principles of conductive education in the sessions and children learn through play and supportive physical techniques to unlock their strengths.
This intervention is crucial for building confidence and self-esteem. The charity receives no statutory funding and relies on donations to ensure that its services can continue. The early intervention service that the charity provides is free to families that need it.
The book charts Dame Vera’s life to the current day, with beautiful and never seen before pictures of the singer, her family and friends. Singing the poignant ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ and ‘We’ll Meet Again’to the servicemen, she buoyed the nation’s spirits during wartime.
Julie Miller, Publishing Director at Puzzler, said: “Dame Vera is a true icon and we wanted to celebrate her birthday with a publication that charted her life and work while supporting her fantastic charity.”
The new book includes photographs detailing Dame Vera’s family life, including from her home in Ditchling, East Sussex – a stone’s throw from the charity’s new centre in Cuckfield, West Sussex.
“We rely on funds raised from the public to provide our services so are delighted that Puzzler has offered to support us with this wonderful book” Pilar Cloud, Executive Manager of the charity said.
The charity is also celebrating its own special milestone in 2017, having recently moved to new premises to expand their services to help support even more families across the South East of England.
“We are looking forward to getting our own edition of Puzzler’s book, which we will be keeping at our new centre so families can find out more about the life of our incredible founder” Pilar Cloud added.
By Georgia Lambert
The Forces’ Sweetheart is available in WHSmith, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose stores, selected newsagents and online at: www.puzzler.com/products