Author from Leamington with family affected by Beirut explosion launches fundraising drive

An author from Leamington is doing her bit to help people in Beirut after her family members were affected by the explosion.

Terri Daneshyar, who is originally from Leamington and went to King's High School in Warwick, has launched a fundraising page and is donating royalties from her book to help people affected by the blast.

Terri's husband is from Beirut and they have family members still living there.

She said: "I was horrified by the explosion in Beirut.

"It is a brilliant place and it saddens me to see the state it is in, both physically and morally.

"We were deeply concerned for our family members still living there, particularly our nephew who was at the gym two miles from the blast and still got injured.

"Thankfully he is doing okay but very shocked.

"Our niece told us the windows of her apartment block were shattered but she is okay."

The 60-year-old, who used to work as an english tutor at Myton School and now lives in Mappleborough Green, released 'The Treasure Thief' last December and it is set in Lebanon and aimed at eight to 12 year-olds.

Because of the book's links to Beirut she decided to pledge to donate 70 per cent of the royalties for the next twelve months towards the relief effort.

"I firstly decided to set up a just giving page as I said because I felt the need to do something," said Terri. "I thought of the book idea after a friend of mine messaged to say how much she'd enjoyed the book and how it made her feel more connected to the situation in Lebanon.

"I thought maybe I could use the fact that it is set in Beirut as a basis for a fundraising effort.

"It also means people can donate and get something for their money as well."

Terri was inspired two years ago to write the book while on a trip to Beirut.

She said: "While on the plane to Beirut I got inspired to write an adventure story set in Lebanon.

"By the time we landed I had plotted out the story and created the characters. I then spent the visit reacquainting myself with the places I wanted to feature in the story.

"It is my third book, the first one is a young adult fantasy, Paladin, which is part of a trilogy. My second is called Betty's Bones and it is a young reader chapter book."

Terri added: "I would like people to know that the Lebanese people are lovely and they don't deserve what's happening to their country.

"I also want people to see a different side to the place and perhaps by reading the book they will feel more connected to it."

The paperback costs £7.99 and the kindle version costs £2.99 and are both available on Amazon

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/help-for-beirut