Nor'West News: May 08, 2018

NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday May 8 2018 7
News
Mairehau counsellor’s books
help children worldwide
• By Sophie Cornish
A COUNSELLOR from
Mairehau Primary School is
attempting to improve the lives
of people involved in child
trafficking by creating and
selling her own books.
Sue Dickson created Books For
Hope in 2016 after writing her
first book in
2015.
Since
then, she
has written
four books,
donated
money to
several
overseas
Sue Dickson
charities and
received a
message from the Pope.
“I am really passionate about
children and I wanted to be able
to give to charities which help
children who are less fortunate,
especially those who are
involved with things like child
trafficking,” she said. The books,
titled Wisdom, Inner Peace, The
Little Prayer Book and Power of
the Heart, support New Zealand
based non-profit organisations,
Tent Peg Missions, Hagar New
Zealand, LIFT International and
Tearfund’s work combatting
human trafficking and
exploitation.
“Each book that I’ve written,
50 per cent of the profits go to
charity and each book has a
different charity.”
So far she has raised more
than $600. Tent Peg Missions
helps children in Uganda, and
the money Ms Dickson has
raised has gone towards supplies
at a school for children with
disabilities. Hagar New Zealand
works to rehabilitate children
who have been rescued from
child trafficking.
Ms Dickson is currently
writing two more books to add to
her collection which are sold on
her website and on Amazon.
She hopes to complete two
GOOD
CAUSE:
The profits
from Sue
Dickson’s
books,
including
Wisdom,
are used to
raise money
for New
Zealand
charities
which help
children
overseas.
children’s books next year as
well, and her 10-year plan is to
build schools overseas.
“That’s the goal. Hopefully I
can sell enough books,” she said.
Ms Dickson sent a copy of one
of her books to Pope Francis and
received a thank you letter.
“His holiness Pope Francis
was pleased to receive the gift
which was kindly sent to him.
He appreciates the devoted
sentiments which prompted this
thoughtful presentation,” the
letter read. Ms Dickson said it
was a “very exciting and special
moment” in her life.
•Ms Dickson’s books can be
purchased at booksforhope.
co.nz
VOLUNTEERING IS now
second nature for Edgeware’s
Margaret Cone who has clocked
up 10 years of service at the
Community Energy Action
curtain bank.
Back in 2008, Miss Cone got
involved with the organisation
through a friend and has never
looked back.
Initially the curtain bank was
for sick babies and the elderly,
and this appealed to Miss Cone
who liked helping the groups.
The afternoon shift also fits in
with her lifestyle.
Miss Cone appeared on
TVNZ’s Good Sorts programme
in 2016 and volunteers her time
to other charities, such as Red
Cross’ Meals on Wheels, Driving
for the Blind and Multiple Sclerosis
New Zealand.
The idea of recycling and reusing
things as well as the social
contact with people is what has
kept Miss Cone coming back.
“It’s a healthy thing for the
body, as it involves quite a lot of
fitness.”
The work requires folding,
bagging and stacking the heavy
curtains.
The curtain Bank has been
operating for more 23 years and
provides free, recycled curtains
Local
News
Now
Fire rages, homes at risk
Celebrating a decade
of volunteering
10 YEARS: Margaret
Cone cutting the cake to
celebrate her milestone as
a Community Energy Action
curtain bank volunteer.
to those in need.
All the curtains have been
recycled by businesses in the
curtain industry or the public.
The curtains can be donated at
collection bins located all across
the city.
Miss Cone is one of two volunteers
celebrating 10 years of
service.
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