Author raises money for search and rescue service

A share of the proceeds from the book will go to Channel Islands Air Search

A book series aimed at children between the ages of five and eight has had its latest edition written and will raise money for a Channel Island charity.

Leo Seeker, written by Simon Applegate, shines a light on the emergency services in the islands through it's characters, with Leo being a small search and rescue plane from Guernsey.

A share of proceeds from the book sales will go to Channel Islands Air Search.

Mr Applegate said he hoped "to create an awareness of the service because we are a voluntary service and entirely dependent on the generosity of Channel Islanders".

Leo Seeker works with friends from Jersey, France and Alderney to rescue those in difficulty at sea.

The other characters are Albert, the red French helicopter, Mona, the green and orange lifeboat, Christine, the ambulance boat and the blue and orange lifeboats of the Channel Islands also feature.

The first book Meet Leo was launched in 2022 and the second More Stories about Leo was launched in 2023.

All the stories are based upon real-life rescues carried out by the Channel Islands Air Search.

"Create an awareness"

Mr Applegate said: "I have been a member of Channel Islands Air Search since it started in 1980, so 45 years ago, and I flew as a pilot for air search for 28 years.

"Between us all we thought well... the stories are worth telling and I decided in my retirement I would pick up my pen and have a go at writing it up."