CFM Radio’s Cash for Kids campaign is to benefit from sales of Catherine Cannon’s books. The local author today confirmed that a percentage of sales from the ‘Felix the Fast Tractor’ titles will go towards helping to raise money for the local charity. The fund raising will also include sales of Catherine’s new book ‘Felix the Fast Tractor and the Twirling Tractors,’ which has been produced in partnership with Penrith Show and which will be available from 20th June.

The book has recently gone to print and, spookily, Catherine has just noticed a Robbie Dee look-alike in the book (in the crowds at the show) - Ron must have had sixth sense, sublimely adding in Robbie before the partnership was even thought of.

Catherine and Richard Utting (Assistant Secretary for Penrith Show) approached the radio station in April to discuss the options for helping to raise money for the charity. Richard comments:

“Setting up a partnership with CFM Radio has been an incredibly easy process so far. The station were very receptive to our suggestion that some of the money raised from sales of Catherine’s previous three books and Penrith Show’s new book, should go to the Cash for Kids campaign.”

Catherine and CFM staff will be promoting the new book at various events around the area over the coming three months, kicking off with the launch at Bluebell Bookshop in Penrith on Saturday 20th June, then at the CFM Radio Family Festival (with kid’s entertainment, CFM Roadshow, Music pre-racing plus a fireworks finale and special guests ESCALA) at Carlisle Races on Saturday 4th July, Cumberland Show on Saturday 18th July and culminating in Penrith Show on Saturday 25th July. The books will also be available to buy from CFM studios and both Felix’s and Penrith Shows web sites.

Diane Campbell, CFM Radio: “CFM Radio’s Cash for Kids was delighted to be approached by Catherine and Richard from Penrith Show with the offer of joining forces to help children in Cumbria and South West Scotland. The books are beautifully written and illustrated and CFM Radio’s Cash for Kids is proud to be associated with such a great children’s book. We have had a fantastic start to the fund raising year, and partnerships like this one are invaluable in helping us to reach our goal to help more needy children and their families in 2009 than we have ever been able to help before.”

Catherine adds “I’m delighted about the partnership with CFM Radio. As a mum I feel strongly that all children should have a happy and enjoyable childhood and I am looking forward to ‘doing my bit’ to help raise money for the local charity.”

“It’s been three years since a new Felix adventure has been published and I know there a few Felix fans out there who will be pleased to see him back in action! The first three books were a great success, but it took a lot of work in getting the illustrations ready and the book published and on the shelves in such quick succession. When I was approached by Penrith show about a possible joint venture, it seemed the perfect time to introduce a new look. I had just met my new illustrator, Ron Ablewhite, who is a successful watercolour artist in his own right, and he instinctively knew what I wanted the characters to look like - Felix may be a working tractor, but he has a cheeky personality (a bit like Robbie Dee!) and we wanted this to come through in the illustrations. After much deliberation, a revamped Felix was created and I am delighted with the finished product, and with Felix now involved with Penrith Show and CFM Radio I can see there’s plenty more tractor adventures to come!”

Robbie Dee comments: “As a dad to be (9 weeks and counting), I agree entirely with Catherine that child hood must be a loving, secure and happy time and reading is an essential part of that. This book will provide that fun and happiness and at the same time raise money for a fantastic cause, CFM’s Cash for kids, and for me personally it’s great to have a new lookalike - I was getting rather tired of Harry Hill or Kojak.”

This year, CFM Radio’s Cash for Kids aims to raise over £199,000 for disadvantaged children in the Cumbria and South West Scotland but they need everyone’s help and support!

All the money raised on behalf of CFM’s Cash for Kids stays right here in Cumbria and Southwest Scotland and provides a helping hand when and where it is needed most. Grants are awarded to individuals to buy specialist equipment to enhance quality of life. Awards are also given to children’s charities and organisations to help them undertake new projects and initiatives or to ensure that much needed local services can continue to provide essential care and support.