FOREWORD

The past two years have been difficult for everybody, not least for young people with cancer and the charities that support them. For Teenage Cancer Trust, much needed fundraising was put on hold. So, when Stephen contacted us and said that profits from his new children’s book, “Our Accidental Letters”, were coming to the charity and asked us to write this Foreword, I was only too pleased to do so.     
   Through the old fashioned, but intimate use of letter writing, Stephen has brought the natural world within touching distance of us all; children and grownups alike, and no matter where we live. Writing to a young family in south west London, his intimate style and voice combines fact with fantasy, allowing the reader and young listeners to almost smell the wildlife around us, often just at the end of our gardens or local parks.
   His letters, no, our letters journey through time and across our beautiful land to bring us discovery, and a little adventure, right on our doorstep. The book also marks this point in time when there is a real hope for the regeneration of our countryside and breakthroughs in children’s cancer treatment, all set within these difficult times.
   Like me, Stephen’s love of nature shines through many of the bedtime stories and left me wanting more.
All the best and thanks for supporting Teenage Cancer Trust,

Laura Woodcock
Head of Community Fundraising