Be part of a historic book and help raise funds for Rennie Grove

A Rennie Grove supporter is compiling an anthology of short written pieces from people around the world to document the pandemic.

The proceeds from the sale of the anthology will be donated to Rennie Grove Hospice Care to help fund the charity’s care for local people with life-limiting illnesses.

Jan Moran Neil has already collected over 300 submissions from all over the world, from Nottingham to New Zealand. Now, she’s looking for more submissions from front-line and key workers that describe the challenges and positive aspects of working and living during the pandemic.

Jan said: ‘It was during one of my long April 2020 walks while dodging joggers and cyclists that the idea of a pandemic thoughts historical document occurred to me.

‘I felt it had to be for a charitable cause so that contributors were passing their lockdown time in both a productive and helpful way.’

You don’t have to be a writer to send in a submission. The aim of the anthology is to capture people’s feelings and experiences of the pandemic, and create a historical record.

Jan Moran Neil said: ‘Two restrictions: keep your submission under 200 words and don’t mention the word ‘unprecedented’!’

Jan Moran Neil is the founder editor of the writers’ anthology Rhyme & Reason, which raised over £60,000 for Rennie Grove since 1991, until the magazine ended production in 2018.

Jan’s mother fell ill in 2000, and was cared for by the charity’s nurses until her death in 2001.

Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s hospice at home service provides care for people in their own homes. The charity has received more referrals to the hospice at home service than ever before during the pandemic as it tries to help relieve pressure on the NHS and keep patients at home with their loved ones.

With its community fundraising activities affected by restrictions, Rennie Grove is looking to develop alternative ways of raising funds and Jan Moran Neil’s anthology project is a perfect opportunity for supporters to get involved, stretch their creative muscles and help raise funds for a local charity.

Submissions close on 31 March. If you’d like to be involved, send your submission to info@janmoranneil.co.uk.