A TAUNTON man has written a book of poems which he hopes will help the County Gazette’s 180 Appeal.

Colin Phillips, 69, found himself waking up in the middle of the night to rhyming inspiration after penning a few couplets in a birthday card and soon found himself thinking in poetry and thought the best thing to do would be to put them all together in a book for charity.

The book, entitled ‘Bad Poems for Good Causes’, is filled with more than 40 poems based around humour, personal experiences, some facts, or just plain mad.

Mr Phillips said: “I kept waking up in the middle of the night, I go through a phase when I can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking up lines for new poems.

“I wanted to do something for charity, and I thought this would be quite different.

“First I thought I would put the book together to raise money for Cancer Research, but instead I thought I would support St Margaret’s Hospice and the 180 Appeal, as it has helped my family and many other people’s families in the area. I thought it would make it more personal.”

Mr Phillips thought of the idea for the book in March 2015, and finished his last poem in June this year. He has footed the money himself to have the books printed and bounded, as well as designing the front cover in the Gazette’s blue colours.

He now hopes to sell his books for £5 each, and will donate all of the money to the hospice without paying himself back for the book printing.

Mr Phillips is currently looking for places to hold copies of his book. Copies will be available from the County Gazette’s reception on St James Street in Taunton and at the St Margaret’s Hospice shop in the town.

Somerset County Gazette:

Meanwhile, there is still time to support the appeal at next weekend’s Bubble Rush.

Taking part at Longrun Meadow on Sunday Saturday, October 2, people can log on to take part in the fun event, which will see runners covered in foam as they make their way around a range of courses. For more details, visit www.countygazette.co.uk/180.