PRESS RELEASE
DATE: January 2009
RELEASE: Immediate

LAUNCH OF THE BOOK “MY DADDY IS A SOLDIER”

The children of our soldiers are missing their fathers more than ever as they serve Britain on more frequent tours across the world.  My Daddy Is A Soldier aims to support young children and families dealing with soldiers’ deployment overseas.

The Afghan Appeal Fund (AAF) has launched a picture book aimed at the youngest members of the Army community whose small lives are invariably turned upside down when Daddy disappears on duty.  Very few books exist which focus on a soldier’s absence within the family. This unique storybook explains, in simple text and photographs, that Daddy will be ˜going far away to work” but will, most importantly, return.

Speaking at the launch of the book, President of the Afghan Appeal Fund, Lady Caroline Richards, said:
“I love this book.  Anything that helps a small child understand and come to terms with deployment and the absence of a parent is invaluable.  Indispensable….why hasn’t this been written before?”

ENDS

For more information, photos and interviews with the author email: info@mydaddyisasoldier.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• To request a copy of the book, or for more information, email info@mydaddyisasoldier.co.uk
• About the author: Gerry Waters.  Gerry’s lifetime association with the Army (as an Army child, an Army wife and an Army mother) prompted her to write the book.  She works as a Public Relations Officer for the Army in Germany. The main characters are the author’s son-in-law Michael and her 2½ year old granddaughter Shay.
• All profits from the book will go to the Afghan Appeal Fund, a charity founded by forces families to improve the plight of children in Afghanistan.  For more information about the Afghan Appeal Fund please visit www.afghanappealfund.org.uk