Turners Hill grandmother’s poems are raising money for NHS Charities Together

Ann Marks, who has been self-isolating for two months with her husband Paul, 83, hit her target of £1,000 after two weeks and is hoping to raise more to support the charity.

Ann said: “I’m hoping to raise money for the NHS by writing a poem everyday to keep the virus away to help all NHS staff during this gruelling time that has come upon us.

“You can hear the poems on my facebook profile.”

Two of Ann’s granddaughters are doctors, and she and her husband lost a close friend and relative to Covid-19.

Her son, Chris, said: “Her poems range from the poignant to the comedic.

“Recent topics include Captain Tom, living with the lockdown, the death of a friend, VE Day, getting ready for a Saturday night in, and gardening.

“She’s had to get to grips with videoing herself, posting her poems on Facebook and running a JustGiving page to keep the fundraising going.

“She’s not a professional poet but for years has been penning poems for family occasions and is a bit of a character.”

To donate to her JustGiving page, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ann-marks.

To listen to Ann reading her poems, visit www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014901947478.