Early Christmas Present For Charity On The Cards As Local Author Is On Target To Exceed £20,000 in Donations

Halifax based children’s author Brian Abram, 64, is publishing a festive special this Christmas, with news that the book’s release will also see his charity fundraising reach a major milestone.

Following the launch of the third book in The Adventures of Grandad Wheels!’ series in September, ‘Grandad in the Grotto!’ is being published on 19 November and will see fundraising for charities who help people with spinal injuries pass £20,000.

The hilarious books tell stories of Brian’s adventures with his grandson Charlie. Aimed at primary age schoolchildren, the books share a common theme, that disability is no barrier to having fun.

Sponsored again by Irwin Mitchell, ‘Grandad In The Grotto!’ sees a return to Cheapfoods Supermarket, who are opening a Grotto in time for Christmas.  When Charlie sees they need a Santa, he knows just the man for the job!  But he doesn’t tell his Grandad about what he has in mind for him or about all the free presents he’s promised for his school friends!  And when the Store Manager tries to stop the fun, mayhem follows!

Brian spent a year in Pinderfields Spinal Unit after a 2013 bicycle accident left him T9 paraplegic and a full-time wheelchair user. Since then, Brian has written six stories in his Grandad Wheels series and the popularity of his books has seen him visit schools throughout the region, to read his stories and get local children thinking about disability and wheelchair users in particular

Commenting on the launch of ‘Grandad In The Grotto!’, Brian Abram said: “I always hoped to release a festive story and four books in, it’s such a proud moment to be able to achieve our £20,000 fundraising target in December.

“Being able to feature Hannah Cockroft MBE in ‘Grandad Goes For Gold!’ was fantastic and ending the year with a big Christmas donation for charity plus a new book is a great way to end what has been a difficult period for many children and their families.

“Hopefully this book will put a smile on their faces and get even more people thinking about disability and how there is no reason for it to stop people from having a good time.”

Expert Opinion

“Brian and his fun stories have been putting a smile on children’s faces and helping to transform the way disability is portrayed and thought about, without being preachy or solemn.

“There was a real need for a series of books like this and the amount of money Brian has raised for charity, plus the real thirst for schools to find out more is proof his stories have struck a chord and also opened up a dialogue about inclusivity that is refreshing and new.

“All of us at Irwin Mitchell are proud to have played a part in helping Brian on this journey and have no doubt that this latest Christmas book will prove just as much fun as all the others.” Ross McWilliams - Partner

‘Grandad In The Grotto!’, ‘Grandad Goes For Gold!’ and the other books in the series are available directly from www.grandadwheels.com