An author of a true story about gambling and addiction will share her experience at a ‘Meet the Author’ event at St John’s Church on 6th March.
Dianne Sangster, who wrote ‘Flutter’, will give an honest and open account of one couple’s experience of living with gambling addiction and finding help, hope and recovery.
Organisers say, “The evening will start with a conversation between Eleanor Talbot and Dianne about
‘Flutter’, her true story of a young Aussie teacher who falls for a single dad in London, a secret gambler. Then Dianne will read a short extract.
“There are many challenges along the way, including losing their home and being stuck in the private rented sector, the importance of friendships, cultural differences, living with illness and facing death but much joy and love and laughter.”
Dianne said, “As a young Aussie, new to the UK, I thought I had fallen in love with an older, wiser man.
But I discovered in our first year together that he had lost his mind to gambling and that this wasn’t the first time. ‘Flutter’ is our story of love and hope on the journey to recovery and to a deeper, kinder understanding of each other. I feel that gambling is one of the lesser-known addictions. There is instant access to gambling sites on our phones and ads make gambling sound like a bit of fun but the greatest damage could lead to serious harm. You may wonder if someone you know is a secret gambler.
“Our story could give hope to anyone affected by a gambling problem. You don’t need to be interested in gambling to enjoy the book and the event. The story is about two ordinary people facing common life challenges.”
Organisers say, “You may learn something about gambling as an addiction and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion after the tea break. Dianne will provide a list of helping agencies. Tony and Dianne became members of the self-help fellowships of Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.”
The event will run on 6th March from 7pm to 9pm.
Flutter is available from all the usual online outlets. Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books will be at the event with copies available for sale.
Pictured: Dianne delivering the book to one of her local readers, Becky Dick
