A children’s book inspired by former Lambeth Mayor Mark Bennett is to be launched at the hall named after him in Streatham Library. The launch will be on Monday, 16 December from 6.30 to 8pm.
Jo Cox Foundation
Author Lance Price will read from his book. All proceeds from the book are being donated to the Jo Cox Foundation which works to bring communities closer together and to combat loneliness and social isolation. Lance will be joined by Jo Cox’s sister, Kim Leadbeater and the chair of Lambeth More In Common, Charmian Kenner. The group was set up in support of Jo Cox’s belief that we all have “more in common than that which divides us”.
Word from the Cabinet
Lambeth Council Leader Jack Hopkins praised the book, saying: “Mark was a valued colleague, friend, local councillor and Mayor of Lambeth who was tragically taken from us far too early. I wasn’t aware of his idea for a children’s book but it is fantastic that Lance Price has taken it forward as a tribute to him. All proceeds go to the Jo Cox Foundation, a vital organisation working to bring communities together in the way that Mark tried to do as a local councillor.”
Inspiration
Lance Price said: “Mark was Mayor of Lambeth when he died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition five years ago. He was a good friend and former colleague. Back in the day our desks sat side by side outside Alastair Campbell’s office in Downing Street. During one of our last conversations he told me he had a fantastic idea for a children’s book. It was about an alien heading to earth with a secret weapon that would turn everybody to stone, except it malfunctions and all the statues come alive. He even had the great title, Petrified. Mark didn’t live to write it, so it’s as a tribute to him that I’ve done my best to bring his story to life. It would be great to see as many of you as possible next Monday to hear a short excerpt from the book and meet many of Mark’s former colleagues and friends.”
More information
- To sign up for the launch (free):
- To buy a signed copy of Petrified in support of the Jo Cox Foundation
- To buy a copy online
- Follow Lance Price on Facebook or twitter
