When we all set about this project, you
the contributors, all the people behind the scenes right from the
very beginning, the team that brought the project to fruition, and
you the readers of New Sun Rising: Stories for Japan, it was
in order to help those affected by the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
We pledged all royalties from the book,
paperback and kindle, toward the relief fund run by the Japanese Red
Cross Society.
A little over two years on, we are
pleased to report that we have sent two donations to the
Japanese
Red Cross Society. Amazon won´t let us divulge sales numbers and
earnings, but to give you an idea, we hope to have made total
donations of 500 Euros by the next deadline in 2014.
In 2013, bank
charges in Japan were waived, and members of the editorial team
covered the outgoing bank charges as part of an extra donation.
Unfortunately, sales in the UK were not high enough for us to access
those royalties, but there is still time. Donations to the Japanese
Red Cross Society relief fund can now still be sent with bank fees
waived in Japan until 31 March 2014.
The original cut-off date was 31 March
2013, so the extension shows that there remains work to be done to
help those affected and unfortunately probably already forgotten.
We also sent a copy of the anthology to
the Japanese Red Cross Society for their offices and so they could see
the work of the many contributors from all over the world.
Sales are slowing down now, but we have
still registered sales this year, so when the money comes together
before next year´s deadline, a further donation will be made.
Members of the Editorial team will cover the outgoing bank charges so
that we can honour the pledge we all made.
Since
New
Sun Rising: Stories for Japan will remain available beyond any
bank fee waiver deadline, we will continue to send monies from the
sale of the book to the Japanese Red Cross Society, since we are
convinced that the effects of the disaster will make themselves felt
for a long time. So we are on board for as long as it takes.
Thank you all, for your support!
Extracts from the letters from the
Japanese Red Cross Society (18.04.2013):
"This
is the Japanese Red Cross Society and would like to express our
sincere gratitude for your donation to the disaster victims who were
affected by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. ...
Thank you once again for your generous and continuous
support and cooperation."
"We
hereby acknowledge, with sincere gratitude, receipt of your
contribution for those affected by the Japan’s earthquake, tsunami
and nuclear power plant disaster. Based upon decisions made by the
Cash Grant Allocation Committee, your donation will be distributed
via the appropriate prefectural and municipal governments to support
the recovery of those affected by this devastating disaster."
Extract of message (15.02.2013):
" Today we have received your book and we thank you for introducing it to us.
We will surely enjoy reading it and feel your warm heart supporting the
affected people.
We deeply appreciate your kindness and passion for this incredible project.
Best wishes,
Organizational Development Department
Japanese Red Cross Society"
