Hebden Bridge novel funds donation to White Ribbon Campaign against domestic violence

Thursday, 9 April 2009

A best-selling novel set in Hebden Bridge has given a welcome boost to a domestic violence charity based in the town.

Local author Linda Green’s second novel, 10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love, has made it to number 16 in the UK’s official paperback fiction chart and has already sold over 31,000 copies.

10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love tells the story of Jo Gilroy, a single mum living in Hebden Bridge, who vows never to fall in love again after the father of her son walks out on them on his first birthday. But a year on, Jo, a local TV news reporter, meets Dan Brady, an enigmatic balloon modeller who lives on a canal boat and has a dark secret – and some reasons not to fall in love of his own.

At the book’s launch at the Fielden Centre in Todmorden last month, £1 from every book sold was donated to the Hebden Bridge-based White Ribbon Campaign UK which is working to end male violence against women.

Ms Green, formerly of Walsden, who now lives in Warley, presented a cheque for £50 to Chris Green (no relation), Chair of the White Ribbon Campaign UK. She said: ‘‘I’m delighted with the success of the novel so far and have had some excellent feedback from people in Hebden Bridge who have enjoyed reading a novel set in their home town.

‘‘There is a domestic violence storyline in a series of flashback chapters in my novel which are written from a child’s point of view. The subject matter is a difficult one but I hope that in a small way I’ve made people think about the terrible impact domestic violence can have on women and children’s lives.

‘‘I was keen to support the White Ribbon Campaign which is doing some fantastic work helping to change male attitudes to violence against women.’’

The White Ribbon Campaign is a worldwide organisation working to end male violence against women. Supporters are urged to wear a white ribbon to make a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

In 2007, Chris Green, Chair of the White Ribbon Campaign UK, won the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Man of the Year Award in recognition of the work of the UK branch of the campaign.

Mr Green said: ‘‘We very much appreciate the boost given to the charity by the launch of the novel. We rely upon donations in order to fund our important work in raising awareness about the issue of male violence against women and we welcome Ms Green’s contribution.

‘‘Moreover this support from an author fits very well with our arts campaign which will be launched within the summer: we welcome any kind of support from artists like Ms Green to highlight the next ‘The art of respect exhibition which will be held during the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival. Relevant art works are extremely important to reach people and spread a message of anti-violence. Once again we are grateful to the author for her commitment towards the cause we tackle.”

10 Reasons Not to Fall in Love is published by Headline Review (£6.99). Available from the Book Case or click here to buy now from Amazon.

See also

White Ribbon Campaign

Hebweb News: Hebden Bridge plays starring role in a new novel (March 09)