Fame came to a 13-year-old author when she took centre-stage at her first book-signing.  But the fortune from Julie Tanner’s debut book will not come to her as the talented teenager compiled the book for charity. 

Julie, of Dale Hill, Kirby-le-Soken, contacted hundreds of stars of entertainment, sport and politics to write her book 101 Reasons to Get Up in the Morning.  She asked them to give readers inspiration and she compiled replies from everyone from the late Pope John Paul II to actor Emma Thompson in a book. 

The former St Philomena’s School pupil did it all for CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. 

On Saturday, a queue of people went into Caxton Books in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, to buy the book and have it signed.  In total she sold 170 copies on the day. 

Julie, who now goes to Colchester High School for Girls, said: “I’ve really enjoyed it and I think I will always remember today. 

“I’m really pleased with the amount of people who turned up.”

Former MP Ivan Henderson, who is featured in the book came along to give support along with current Harwich MP Douglas Carswell.  Caroline Gard, the mother of 17-year-old Andy Gard from Frinton who died in 1997 from a sudden heart failure, also attended the signing.  It was the death of Andy, who used to baby-sit for Julie, which inspired her. 

Sally Johnson, co-owner of Caxtons, said: “It’s really been buzzing.” 

The shop is also giving £100 to the cause.