Local author raises over £13,000 for charity

Joe Gingell has donated the proceeds of his book sales totalling thousands of pounds to two local charities.

Yesterday Mr Gingell presented two cheques to the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society, and the Gibraltar Mental Welfare Society for £4,685 and £8,400 respectively.

Mr Gingell sold 1,000 copies of his book called ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’ totalling sales of £20,000. This covered his £7,000 printing costs, with the rest donated to charity.

The book is the second of his works on the evacuation of the people of Gibraltar in the Second World War.

Over the past few months Mr Gingell has been selling his books across Gibraltar, including at the Gibraltar Regiment Club and the Piazza.

Local businesses and individuals have also donated funds in addition to buying books.

“What sold the books, apart from the support of the people, were the stories inside the books,” Mr Gingell said.

“The photographs were connected to family stories and what sold the books were the stories of people mentioned in the book. Not so much the evacuation itself.”

“There are grandparents and in some cases parents who were dispersed in places like Jamaica and Northern Ireland who went through a very trying period in the history of Gibraltar.”

“It is something the people of Gibraltar cherish very much and is about their loved ones. The testimony is in the photographs.”

Conchita Triay and Mark Montovio from the Mental Welfare Society thanked Mr Gingell for the donation.

“It is an amazing amount,” Mrs Triay said.

“I can only imagine the amount of work that has gone into making the book and selling it. We will put this money to very good use and it will cover the cost of a weekly outing for those in Ocean Views who would otherwise not get this chance.”

“We also use the money to help people in the community who are on benefits and who as a result of mental health issues cannot afford a new fridge or all sorts of things. This will go directly to help individuals.”

Mrs Alcantara expressed her gratitude’s to Mr Gingell and added that the money will be spent on people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“What is important for us is to bring Mount Alvernia up to the standards of Hillsides and John Mackintosh Home,” Mrs Alcantara said.

“This money which is such a huge amount will definitely go to the refurbishment and the maintenance of Mount Alvernia.”