Billy The Spaceman Helps Blue Family Funds Rocket

Billy The Spaceman, the children's story written by an Everton employee and sold in support of the Club and Everton in the Community's Blue Family campaign, has raised more than £5000.

Evertonians snapped up copies of the book telling the tale of Billy's adventures into the solar system alongside his pet cat Elvis, with the final fundraising total of £5212 set to help Everton in the Community support isolated and vulnerable people across Merseyside during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Mike Taylor, who works in the Club's media and communications team, initially wrote the story as a keepsake for his young son but was inspired to set up a fundraising page on Facebook after seeing the work of the Blue Family campaign.

Such was the positive reaction to his idea, he then teamed up with Everton in the Community to make copies of the book available to everyone, with all the proceeds going to the charity.

"I’m extremely grateful and I'd just like to say another massive thank you to everyone who purchased a copy and got behind the cause," said Mike.

"I had initially set up a page for close friends and family to purchase a copy, so the way things unfolded and the reaction it had was totally unexpected."

 

Copies of Billy The Spaceman began landing on doormats last week, with plenty of positive reaction posted across social media pages set up to promote the book.

"It's been surreal but also very special to see and hear about other families reading the story together," added Mike.

"Seeing how people supported it was a small example of what we’ve seen throughout the Blue Family campaign - people sticking together and looking out for each other.

 

"For me, that’s always been a fundamental part of who we are as Everton and Everton in the Community.

"It’s been uplifting to be part of at a difficult time for everyone and I'm just glad we've been able to raise an incredible amount of money that will make a difference."

To learn more about Everton and Everton in the Community's Blue Family campaign, how to donate, or how to refer someone in need, click here.