When Helen Cadbury died in June last year, her many friends, writers, neighbours and colleagues wanted to create a permanent memorial to the inspirational author, poet and activist.

Our first phase of fund-raising brought in nearly £2,500 towards a Poetry Corner for Helen Cadbury, a beautiful memorial bench in Glen Gardens, a few yards from Helen's home in Heworth, York.

The Friends Of Helen Cadbury group is working closely with the Friends of Glen Gardens to create this unique installation, which has also been generously supported by Heworth Ward Committee.

The 'bench' will be much more than merely a standard park seat. It will stand in a landscaped area surrounded by flowers and shrubs. We plan to inscribe the words of Helen's poem, Self Portrait, in the stone-paved area immediately in front of the bench.

A canopy or pergola may be added later by the Friends of Glen Gardens to provide shade in what we hope will become a meeting place for friends, writers and readers. It will be a focal point for outdoor performances too.

While our plans are being developed, we have started a second phase of fundraising, with a new target of £2,500.

A small group (including a sculptor, woodcarver and architectural metalworker) have produced a design which has now been approved by Helen's family, and supported by our friends at Glen Gardens. The new artist's impression above should give you an idea of what is planned.

Please give as much as you can and share this page with writers and friends. We want this lasting memorial to our friend to become a treasured community asset for the people of Heworth.

Other fund-raising events will also be taking place until the June anniversary of Helen's death, when we hope the bench will be installed.

Our first fundraiser is a literature quiz devised by Helen's friend, crime writer Mark Billingham. It takes place at the City Screen Basement on February 20. Teams of up to six can be entered. Tickets are £10 per person. Book here: The Great York Literature Quiz

For more information and updates, please visit the Facebook group: Friends Of Helen Cadbury at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1962289124050441/ and ask to become a group member.

Any surplus monies will be donated to Accessible Arts & Media, a York charity which Helen chaired for several years.

For any other enquiries, email: davenick01@mac.com

Picture: The Press, York