An online bookstore owner from Bromley had raised more than £1,600 to buy books that she later donated to families and children last year during the Christmas period.

Jocelyn Lamb, 41, organised a fundraiser with the help of Chatterton Arms, a local pub in Bromley and Bromley Foodbank last year.

She said she had an “initial” target of raising £1,000 to buy books to donate to the “less fortunate.”

She told the News Shopper that business owners and residents “gathered together” to donate for the cause.

Barratt Homes, a building company, donated £1,000 towards the fundraiser.

Jocelyn said before the donation from Barratt Homes, she was “struggling” to meet her “initial” target.

She said: “I initially set a target for £1,000 worth of books, and it came to a point where I started thinking I’m not going to even reach £100.

“I had to find ways other ways to reach my goal.

“So, I decided to get in contact with Barratt Homes, who kindly enough donated the £1,000 needed.”

She said 13 other businesses also contributed to the fundraiser.

Chatterton Arms and Bromley Foodbank helped Jocelyn to make further donations and to distribute the books.

She explained: “On December 5, I went to the Chatterton Arms and installed my stall and set up my books.

“We organised a raffle for people to buy and local businesses donated prizes.

“With the initial donation from Barratt Homes included, we ended up raising £1,406.06 in total.

“I then decided to round up this figure from my own pocket and totalled it up to £1,600 worth of books.”

News Shopper: Stall at the Chatterton Arms in BromleyStall at the Chatterton Arms in Bromley

Jocelyn told the News Shopper that the books she donated through the fundraiser had reached over 400 families.

She said she wants to spread “happiness” to other children by “sharing her passion” for books.

Jocelyn added: “I run a small business selling books, and I get the most joy in sharing those books with other people.

“I have been lucky enough to share the books with nurseries and local schools before.

“However, there are children on Christmas day that do not have the opportunity to receive books or presents.

“I enjoy reading books, so to combine my love for books and to give to others feels amazing.”

Jocelyn said her idea to raise money through books started eight months ago after launching her first online bookstore.

She explained: “I opened my online bookstore eight months ago and have had an urge to share my passion with other people.

“I thought to myself on how I could do this.

“So, I decided to organise the fundraiser to give to the less fortunate families and children during Christmas.”

Jocelyn said after a “successful” fundraiser she plans to work with Princess Royal University Hospital later this year.

She added: “I plan to further share the love of books with children during this year at the Easter holidays.

“Hopefully we will be able to do something for the children at the hospital by donating to their library.”

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