Over 70 ordinary women from different walks of life and ethnicities have written their lockdown stories because they wanted their voices heard today and remembered in the future. They sent them to the charity WayfinderWoman.

There’s stories from those who were sheltered, to key workers; from women raging about the world, to those who had found peace; those who were living in abusive households, to those who had their weddings cancelled; from those who were stranded overseas to those who are still there; from those who experienced the death of loved ones from Covid-19 to those who gave birth during the pandemic. I know because I wrote one of those stories.

As one of the volunteers for WayfinderWoman, we want these stories published for future generations as each of them delves into the experiences of ordinary women during extraordinary times and deserve to be preserved.

Why the Magnificent 7 challenge?

Well, there’s 7 of us doing 7 magnificent things over 7 days.

● We begin on 7th July, the 7th day of the 7th month and the Challenge will run over 7 days from 16:00 hours each day (1+6+00 = 7 - See what we've done?)
● We walk 7 times around Princes Park Lake, in Eastbourne, for 7 days (the equivalent of a marathon!!) Socially distanced of course!

Our very extravagant, theatrical and LOUD fancy dress themed walks will begin, in July, on the following dates: (please do turn up to observe, laugh and cheer us on - below is just one of the magnificent 'hats' my friend Bill has made for the 7 Wonders of the World event.)

Tuesday 7th - We parade the 7 Wonders of the World
Wednesday 8th - We present the 7 Chakras
Thursday 9th - We travel the 7 Seas
Friday 10th - We share 7 of our favourite jokes
Saturday 11th - We dress as 7 Miss Scarlett's from Cluedo
Sunday 12th - We showcase our own female rugby 7s team
Monday 13th - We reveal our 7 favourite places in Eastbourne

What will you do with £2,800?

•Commission an editor to shape the order of the stories so they create a gripping, moving and at times humorous description of women’s lives during lockdown.

•Have an eye catching front cover designed for the book.

•Include illustrations by women related to the stories to make it a richer reading experience.

•Produce books in full colour. We’ve had plenty of grey times now let’s have some colour to lift the spirit and improve our mental health.

•Give every contributor a book, free of charge, so they can keep it for future generations.

What will I get for my donation?

Apart from a feel good feeling...?

Your name can be printed within the book as a subscriber so future generations will know that you believed in the importance of women’s voices being heard. (Did you know that's how books first started to be published?)

You could gift it to a family member, or friend, and ask us to put their name in the book as a contributor.

We can record your names if you say who you are when you donate. Otherwise please do email info@wayfinderwoman.com to have your name (or someone else's) included in the book and be part of history!

In the meantime we're posting 2 stories a week and other snippets on our dedicated FB page Women in Lockdown

Thank you and here’s to the Magnificent 7 Challenge!