A Newcastle author is set to take on an epic walk to bookshops across the North East to raise money for an Alzheimer’s charity.
Trevor Wood, 66, will take on a 75-mile walk across a week in February to six bookshops with the aim of raising at least £2,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK. It marks the paperback release of the of his book The Silent Killer, which has already sparked the interest of a film and TV production company, and Trevor cautiously optimistic that the series could become the next Vera.
The author’s central character, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Parker, comes to terms with a diagnosis of early onset dementia alongside solving crimes; with Trevor already working on the third book in the series. He hopes that his character’s condition will raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Trevor told ChronicleLive: “I became more and more aware of how many people were affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s. I had a lot of friends who were spending time looking after relatives with the disease, and I like to raise social issues in the books.”
In a fateful coincidence, Trevor was speaking at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate when Alzheimer’s Research UK were fundraising in the North Yorkshire town by encouraging people to take part in 5ks. Trevor signed up “to give something back” and has since established a relationship with the charity, who have introduced him to people affected by the disease in a number of ways, informing his writing.
He has already raised £1,180 for the charity, but hopes that his week-long walk will drum up a further £2,500. He continued: “Alzheimer’s Research are actively looking for a cure and there’s hope something will happen in the next 10 years.
“I don’t want to say stop this disease entirely, but if you consider that cancer used to be a death sentence, if you get it these days there’s quite a lot of treatment that can stop that happening. Let’s hope that can happen with Alzheimer’s.”
(Image: Trevor Wood)
Sara Grix, regional fundraising officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re so grateful to Trevor for supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK. If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.
“Fantastic fundraising efforts like this will help us get closer to a cure for people with dementia and their loved ones. We wish Trevor the best of luck with the event and ask you to stand with the charity by supporting his fundraising efforts and joining his book readings!”
Helen Stanton, who owns Forum Books and its sister shops the Bound and the Accidental Bookshop, said: “Getting to do not only do an event but kick off Trevor’s fundraising walk is a huge and lovely honour so naturally we want to get him off to the best start which is why the tickets include a donation that we – FORUM Books – will match too! If it’s a sellout that’s £400 to Alzheimers Research!”
Trevor Wood’s walk to bookshops across North East England
Friday, February 21 – launch night at Forum Books in Corbridge.
Saturday, February 22 – 10 mile walk to Heddon-on-the-Wall.
Sunday, February 23 – Public signing at Waterstones in Newcastle
Monday, February 24 – Public signing at Waterstones in Sunderland
Tuesday, February 25 – Featherbed Books, Houghton-le-Spring
Wednesday, February 26 – Waterstones Durham
Thursday, February 27 – Sedgefield and The Silent Killer paperback released
Friday, February 28 – Drake the Bookshop, Stockton
For more information or to donate to Trevor’s fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe page.
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