Gordon and Brenda Wilkinson -- sporting their cooking aprons -- and showing off their new cookbook.

Tearfund volunteers Brenda and Gordon Wilkinson of East Grinstead, West Sussex have donated more than £25,000 to the Teddington-based Christian charity from sales of their best-selling recipe book ‘Recipes for Disaster… Relief and Development.’

According to a Tearfund media release, the couple, who have supported Tearfund for over 25 years, have sold more than 4,200 of the fundraising cookbook, with copies going to the USA, Europe and as far away as the Falkland Islands.

Gordon Wilkinson stated: “Looking back, we had our official book-signing event in East Grinstead on July 1, 2006 and within three months we had sold enough copies to cover all our production costs and to make a £1,000 donation to Tearfund.

“By the following October we had sold 3,000 and donated £17,000. It was a huge step of faith to print 5,000 copies of the book and aim to raise £25,000 after costs, so meeting the challenge and exceeding this target in four years is fantastic.”

Brenda commented: “I think the title of the book had a lot to do with its success. After spending two weeks in Honduras on a Tearfund Study Tour, eating mostly rice and beans, we came up with the idea of producing a collection of recipes from countries where Tearfund works… a recipe book with a difference… one that gives information about the country, its needs and how Tearfund is bringing hope to some of the world’s poorest people. So, it was the two things of thinking about recipes and raising money for disaster relief and development that led us to this catchy title.”

She added: “What also helped was the amazing support that we got from other volunteers and supporters, especially the people that sell Tearfund’s Created range of fairly-traded craft goods. Local radio interviews, newspaper articles and the website — www.recipesfordisaster.org — all contributed to generating interest. On one occasion we were at home doing a radio interview by telephone with BBC Radio Sussex and we watched the orders streaming in via the website!”

On their website the couple says: “Tearfund is involved with over 450 projects, so we could only cover a small selection! Thinking about recipes and raising funds for disaster relief and development led to our title, Recipes for Disaster… Relief and Development.

“The book has taken us on an inspirational journey around the world as we set about collecting recipes from friends, contacts at Tearfund and Tearfund partners overseas. We had fun translating some recipes where the computer suggested we use ‘worn-out meat or ‘dangerous eggs.’”

The Wilkinsons say: “All the recipes have been tested. Most are delicious, but one or two are bland — in countries where food is limited poor people have no options. You may want to use these recipes for frugal lunches at church, or events to illustrate what life is like in other countries. When you are looking for ingredients, please buy products with the Fairtrade Mark if you have a choice.”

They add: “As you serve your mouth-watering dish of Cambodian sticky rice and mango or Peruvian prawn chowder, spare a thought and a prayer for the people of those countries and for Tearfund’s partners. The problems they face are huge, but the partners love and compassion is making a real difference. We hope that you will be encouraged when you read about their wonderful work. ”

The Wilkinsons still have a few hundred copies of the book left and although the books were originally priced at £7, they are selling them off at 3 for £10 including postage & packing (s&h), with all the proceeds going to Tearfund.

Gordon said: “The books make a great gift … there’s even an alternative Christmas menu which you can find on our website, www.recipesfordisaster.org .

He added: “Most of the recipes are delicious — we know because we’ve tried nearly all of them. However, one or two are quite bland, but that’s understandable because in countries where food is limited poor people have no options. Not only can people try recipes such as Cambodian sticky rice with mango or Peruvian prawn chowder, but there’s a real opportunity for them to learn about these countries and be inspired by some of the amazing work that Tearfund’s partners are doing.”

“This is an amazing achievement,” said Matthew Frost, Tearfund Chief Executive.

“The Recipes for Disaster book was a very clever idea and its success will go to help many people in the poorest countries. Tearfund — and the voluntary sector as a whole — would be a duller place without Gordon and Brenda’s talent and committed support,” he said.

For further information about this story or a review copy of the book, please telephone: Gordon or Brenda Wilkinson on +44 (0)1342 311516/323382 or email: tearfund@felbridge.com . For background information on the authors, check out www.recipesfordisaster.org/authors.html .

For the special 3 for £10 offer, send a cheque payable to B. Wilkinson at PO Box 78, East Grinstead RH19 2YW.

You can find more information about Tearfund and Created at www.tearfund.org or contact Jonathan Spencer in the Tearfund Press Office on +44 (0)20 8943 7901

Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency building a global network of local churches to help eradicate poverty. Tearfund is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Michael Ireland, Assist News Service