Thanks to international singer songwriter, Sharleen Spiteri, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Graham’s The Family Dairy, Cuddles the Cow is to make her debut at the 2009 Edinburgh International Book Festival!
For the Scottish musician has joined the children’s charity and Bridge of Allan-based dairy – celebrating its 70th anniversary – to launch an illustrated children’s book.
Through the central character, Cuddles, the book tells the story of life on a dairy farm, including how milk is produced and prepared for market. On Sunday 16 August, the story of Cuddles the Cow will be incorporated by artist Julie Dawson into a special farm-themed children’s workshop being supported by Graham’s The Family Dairy (see notes to editor).
The book includes a foreword from Spiteri who wrote: “I hope children enjoy reading about the wonderful life of Cuddles and learning a little about the journey her milk takes from field to fridge. I am very proud that 50 pence from every book will be donated to CHAS, a very worthwhile charity that like Cuddles aims to bring sunshine into children’s lives.”
Graham’s The Family Dairy has pledged that 50 pence of every book sale (RRP £2.99) will be donated to CHAS. Organisers of the festival also agreed to waive the commission fee for selling the book in the on-site bookshop for the duration of the festival from 15-31 August.
Carol Graham, marketing director of Graham’s The Family Dairy, said: “Graham’s is renowned for its yummy and award-winning products – including our recently launched vanilla ice cream. However Cuddles the Cow is by far the most unusual innovation to be produced on our farm! We value the kind support of Sharleen Spiteri and hope young children and their parents will enjoy reading about Cuddles – a venture supporting a wonderful children’s charity.”
Kerry Jackson, CHAS relationship manager, commented: “CHAS is incredibly grateful to Graham’s The Family Dairy for choosing to support CHAS. We would also like to thank Sharleen Spiteri for lending her support to the book, which we are sure will become a favourite with young children.
“Sharleen has supported CHAS for many years and has done a great deal to raise awareness of the work we do to support children and families at our children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch and through our CHAS at Home service based in Inverness.”
