Schoolgirl's poetry raises £2,500 for charity set up in memory of her sister

Tammy Berman’s book ‘A Rainbow of Rhymes' is being sold to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of her sister Shani, who died aged five

A schoolgirl has raised more than £2,500 for the charity set up in memory of her sister by selling copies of a poetry book she compiled for her bat mitzvah.

Tammy Berman’s book ‘A Rainbow of Rhymes’ includes poems such as ‘Life is a Road’ and ‘A Snippet of Inspiration’ and is being sold to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of her sister Shani, who died aged five.

Shani was born with a large hole in her heart and no valve linking her heart to her lungs, but doctors at the children’s hospital fitted a tiny Gore-Tex tube, allowing a “bossy, cheeky, funny, clever and beautiful girl” to live with a “magic heart”.

Unfortunately complication developed and her oxygen levels fell over several months, leading to risky surgery she did not survive.

Five-year-old Immanuel College pupil Shani Berman passed away, after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at six weeks old.

“We set up the Shine for Shani charity in memory of Tammy’s sister,” said mother Juliet Berman, whose supporters raised £2,000 by holding a New Year’s Day Fry-Up last week.

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Tammy’s poetry book, which is a compilation of original poems and classic favourites, was put together for her bat mitzvah in November has now sold 100 copies, raising £2,500 for research into heart transplant outcomes.

“There are a number of beautiful and moving poems about Shani herself, as well as humorous ones, inspiring ones and many on a Jewish theme,” said Juliet. “Included is a poem on Jacobs Ladder which Tammy wrote as part of her Dvar Torah.”