A POET who has been praised by the likes of Sir David Attenborough will host a fundraising afternoon in Oswestry next week.

Sandra Chambers released her debut collection, 'Feathered Words', in September, where she included a poem about Mr Attenborough, which she has sent over to him.

In return, he read it, and sent her back a lovely letter expressing his admiration for the book.

And on Thursday, November 10, at Oswestry Memorial Hall, locals can enjoy a poetry afternoon starting at 2.30pm featuring Sandra's collection, including the praised poem.

Sandra, from Penkridge, is hosting the event in aid of the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injury based at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, but added admission to the event is free.

She said: "My husband was a patient there in 2016 for eight months after a spinal injury, and he received excellent care from really a superb centre.

"But when he came out he needed a lot of support, so going out and about was out of the question.

"After about a year, I decided it's time I get another hobby, so I joined a poetry workshop for emotional well-being."

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It wasn't Sandra's intention to write a poetry book, but Mel Woodends, poet and editor, suggested that she publish her collection.

"After giving it some thought I decided that the best way to go about it was to give back to the place where it all started, so all the earnings from the book are going to the Midland Centre for Spinal Injury," she said.

Sandra's collection is based on a mixture of themes, mainly about the environment, current affairs, and some about her personal experiences.

"The poems are arranged alphabetically, but the one I picked out to be the first in the book, 'Benedictus', it's really about John and I together on the road of recovery," she added.

That poem won a prize at a Multilingual Poetry competition, but this is not the only time Sandra's work has been put forward for awards, and she is currently shortlisted for a number of others.

Her poetry collection, 'Feathered Words', is available for purchase from her directly by emailing sandragoosemarsh@gmail.com or calling 07718 374901, and it will also be available at Orthopaedic Hospital shop as well.