A new children's book, inspired by the squirrels that live in Victoria Park, has been created to help raise funds for a primary school in East Belfast.
Squirrel in an Airport has been written by David Mitchell, with the help of his two children Maria and Matthew, and tells the story of a squirrel helping a young boy inside of an airport.
David says the story was inspired by the squirrels who live in Victoria Park and their relationship with the Belfast City Airport next door to them.
It has been created in order to support the Parent Teacher Association at Belmont Primary School, so they will be able to provide even more for the children who attend it.
This is the second book that David has written in aid of the school after publishing Maisie’s Iceland Adventure last year. It tells the story of a girl on holiday in Iceland who helps a little polar bear find its way home with the help of elves, fairies and trolls.
Speaking to Belfast Live, David said: "I had written a story for my children last year which my wife encouraged me to publish during lockdown in order to do something in order to fundraise for the school because their activities had been put on hold.
"This year we decided to do the same again and developed a story that has been inspired by the squirrels who live in Victoria Park.
"Visiting the park it is always nice to see them running around and you also have the amazing way that the planes fly so low to it as they are taking off and landing from the Belfast City Airport next door.
"My two children Maria and Matthew created the artwork for the book and with the help of a graphic designer friend Eileen Neill we were able to put it all together.
"All of the money from the sales of the book will go towards the Belmont Primary School PTA, so they are able to provide more educational and play resources."
The books cost £6 each and are available by contacting Belmont Primary School or emailing squirrelinanairport@outlook.com.
