Snowflake

In the heat of battle, special forces soldiers, armed to the hilt, make split-second decisions. Every move is a calculated risk, informed by rigorous training, advanced weaponry, and the strength of their unit. They act when the odds favour survival – though not necessarily for their adversaries. It’s a stark choice between life and death: veer left to safety or right into danger, stay on the path or plunge off the cliff, storm through the door or toss in a grenade.

Yet, the young individuals Charlie Ryles encounters often act impulsively, diving headfirst into peril without weighing the consequences. Their choices frequently lead to a tumultuous life, ricocheting from one crisis to the next.

Enter the world of Charlie Ryles, a dedicated youth intervention worker. He offers these youths an alternative to traditional education, guiding them towards meaningful employment. It’s a chance for a brighter future – for them and the community.

And that’s the mission. Dive in to discover if the plan unfolds as intended.

Simon Ackroyd grew up in Heavy Woollen district of Yorkshire at a time of significant social upheaval due to the closure of the factories and mines in the 1980’s. Faced with a bleak future, Simon followed his father’s advice and kept the threads of his education intact to gain a degree in science. After a few years working in the industry, he took a job in recruitment that eventually led to a chance meeting – that created a service helping school children find work experience as part of an alternative curriculum. This unexpectedly exposed Simon to the poverty and neglect that lies beneath the surface of some of the more prosperous towns in the county of Yorkshire and inspired him to write this book. Simon lives in the Yorkshire Dales with his wife, three children, dogs, sheep and hens.