an Italian afternoon with Nicky Pellegrino
The Friends of the HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing created a superb afternoon with Nicky Pellegrino.
Nicky was as bubbly as the Prosecco being sipped by guests who nibbled at the antipasto treats. She reminisced about her early days with her cousins in Italy, where she would often be the shy observer. Nicky frequently captures the drama of everyday Italian conversations in her books, bringing a slice of la dolce vita to her readers.
Nicky’s writing career springboarded from the confidence gained from co-authoring the biography of Angela D’Audney. This project allowed her to write more than 1200 words in one piece, a significant milestone that propelled her into the world of novel writing. She shared how her characters evolve organically, guiding the story rather than adhering to a rigid plan. For Nicky, it’s crucial that her stories are infused with humour and light-heartedness, offering readers an escape from their daily routines.
As the afternoon drew to a close, guests were treated to an array of delectable Italian sweets such as Florentines, tiramisu and amaretti. The event ended on a sweet note, much like Nicky’s stories, leaving everyone with a sense of warmth and contentment. It was a lovely ending to the afternoon that celebrated not just Nicky’s journey, but also a fundraising milestone for the Friends of HOPE. Buon appetito!
You can also help by
- Spreading the word about what we do / share this newsletter
- Donating your time to the Friends Supporters to help with fundraising and committee work
- Encouraging your children and grandchildren to invest in their futures by donating time and money (a baby girl born today has a 1 in 3 chance of living to 100 , a boy 1 in 4 and is likely to be fitter and healthier–think about the implications of that)
- Consider a bequest