100 ‘centenas’ – poignant memorial book to people from the First World War.

We reached our first target of £5,500 in just 10 days. Now we want to match that amount to help children affected by war, raising £11,000 in total. You can still order a book(s) and/or make a donation to War Child. Thank you for your generosity.

IMPORTANT: before you pledge, please read the note about delivery at the foot of this message.

On 11 November 1918, the First World War ended. After four years of unprecedented violence and devastation, Armistice was declared. But the stories and memories need to be renewed, lest we forget.

Writers’ group 26 partnered with Imperial War Museums to mark this centenary in a unique way. We invited 100 writers to choose a subject from the war, and to tell that person’s story in poetry or prose in exactly 100 words. With the additional rule – start and finish with the same three words – we called this new form a centena.

Together these 100 centenas create an extraordinary collection. The works span the world and are being posted on a website – but a more permanent memorial was needed in the form of a book to remember and honour the people of that time, many of whom lost their lives, many of whom contributed without fighting. Men and women, diverse races and countries, united by their presence at that historic period.

To recognise them, their sacrifices and the suffering of those involved, we will donate profits, once the book’s production costs are covered, to the charity War Child, supporting children affected by war.

We will send you one copy of the book for every £10 you give. Please consider buying more than one, and help us to spread these stories. 26 is a not-for-profit organisation, so any profit we make will be donated to War Child.