AN Ipswich woman has written a novel to support vulnerable youngsters by pledging to make a donation to a leading children's charity for every book sold.

AN Ipswich woman has written a novel to support vulnerable youngsters by pledging to make a donation to a leading children's charity for every book sold.

A quarter of the £7.99 from every copy of Elaine Coltham's novel Auntie Relda's Journey sold will go to The Children's Society, whose work is centred on reaching children who feel fearful, alone and threatened.

To date The Children's Society has received £200 from sales of the book.

Mrs Coltham, of Mersey Road, said: “The story is a children's novel written about Billy, a young boy who is bullied, and how he struggles to cope with the problem.

“He meets an elderly lady who is an old friend of his mothers and late father.

“Her sense of fun and compassion and determination to change Billy's life for the better make for an unusual story.

“I have two aims for the book - to encourage children to talk about the problem of being bullied and seek help, and to assist The Children's Society, by donating £2 per copy towards their work.”

Mrs Coltham, who has also published a series of poems to raise money for worthy causes, illustrated the novel herself.

Auntie Relda's Journey is published by Lainee Matloch Publications, and priced at £7.99.

Anyone who would like to buy a copy should e-mail elaine.coltham@btinternet.com or visit www.elainecoltham.co.uk.