CARE manager and Wellington Sunday school leader Ben Sellick has written a book to help children realise they are all heroes of the coronavirus crisis.

The book is titled ‘The Lockdown Hero’ and is described as ‘interactive make along comic-style’ and can be purchased with accompanying packs of plasticine.

Ben, of Priory, who works for Bluebird Care, is a deacon at Wellington Baptist Church and leads its children’s ministry.

He said: “It is a fun and accessible story that encourages little ones to be creative and understand in a child-friendly way that they are all heroes. In years to come after the global pandemic of Covid-19 it will be in the history books, but so many have lived through it and their lives have been impacted and changed.

“This book was written as a tribute but also to engage our children with the great challenges we have all faced. This allows children to explore this story from a positive angle and allows them to explore their creativity along the way.”

Published by Wellington Print, the first print run of ‘The Lockdown Hero’ quickly sold out and a second run has been ordered.

It will be stocked by supportive local businesses, including the Beambridge Inn, and can also be found online by searching the Creative Story Collective, on Facebook.

The book was designed by Wellington online craft business owner Alice Burns, who runs Lotus Pond Creations, her first venture into publication design work.

Half of the book’s proceeds are being given to FUDGE and photos, in Taunton, whose owner Hayley England has been delivering free home-made fudge and chocolate treats to key workers during the virus crisis.

“It was very important to me for this book to raise needed funds for local businesses and organisations that are supporting our frontline workers,” said Ben.

Every book purchaser will also receive a 50p voucher toward a bookmark-making kit from Lotus Pond Creations.