A CROSS Roads author who has written children’s books about King Richard III has launched an appeal to help people with the same spinal disorder that this monarch suffered from.

Carol Fellingham Webb is raising money for the charity Scoliosis UK (SAUK), by offering to send people a new short story she has written in return for donations to this good cause.

She began the appeal on the fifth anniversary of the press conference announcing that King Richard’s grave had finally been found – under a carpark in Leicester – 527 years after the king’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Ms Fellingham Webb was part of a hard-fought but ultimately unsuccessful campaign to try and bring Richard III’s remains back to Yorkshire, following the sensational discovery in 2012.

Since then she has written The Order of the White Boar, released under the pen name Alex Marchant.

It is the first of two works aimed at readers aged 10 and older, tells the story of the final three years of Richard’s life through the eyes of a young boy.

Her second book, The King’s Man, will be published in the spring. It will continue the story of Richard III up to the fateful day of August 22 1485 when he died in battle against the forces of Henry Tudor.

Ms Fellingham Webb explained: “I’m offering to send people a new short story, ‘The Beast of Middleham Moor’, in return for a small donation to SAUK. I’m asking for a minimum of £1.

“The tale is effectively a ghost story set on the moor above King Richard’s favourite home at Middleham, aimed at either children or adults – both have enjoyed it so far.

“To my surprise, this has already raised over £200 from people in various parts of the world, including a donation from someone in Guam!

“Several of those donating have told me of their own or loved ones’ experiences with scoliosis, so the story and the fundraising seem to have struck a chord.

“My online fundraising link will be available for at least three months, which will take it past the proposed date for publication of my sequel to The Order of the White Boar, which may help boost donations.

“I’m planning to print copies of the short story to sell at any events I attend, such as medieval festivals and battle re-enactments at Middleham, Bosworth, Barnet, Tewkesbury, as well as at library and school visits.

“I’m putting together a schedule of such visits for the summer and autumn. If any schools or libraries are interested, I’d be happy for them to get in touch.”

Organisations can contact her by e-mailing alexmarchant84@gmail.com

People wishing to support her campaign in aid of Scoliosis UK can visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlexMarchant to contribute online.

Scoliosis is where the spine twists and curves to the side. It can affect people of any age, from babies to adults.