Cargo of Hope

Shane Granger

Lyons Press

£17.47

Almost certainly the most heartwarming and inspiring book likely to come your way this year. Shane Granger and Meggi Macoun manage their own direct charity, delivering medical and educational supplies and other necessities to remote island communities in Indonesia and East Timor. They live and travel on board the 130-year-old Norwegian-built sailing cargo ship Vega. 3-4 months each year are spent sourcing and purchasing items that the communities have told them that they need: the rest of the year sailing to deliver them. Goods include midwife kits, kids4kids backpacks filled with educational resources, two repaired sewing machines, a travelling doctor.

Granger’s writing style is colourful: Macoun’s illustrations charming and every book purchase will fund further essential resources.