Mum, Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid?

i newspaper ‘What We’re Reading This Week’ December 2017

‘Elizabeth’s courage in speaking out is moving, and her ability to move others is impressive. This is a story that needs to be told, and needs to be heard.’ – Theresa May, Prime Minister

‘Elizabeth [is] someone who had the courage to tell her family’s story and to challenge attitudes. Elizabeth has already made a difference and I am sure that all those who read this book will be both challenged and inspired.’ – Chief Constable Sara Thornton, National Police Chiefs’ Council

‘I cannot praise this book highly enough . . . Born out of personal pain and tragedy, this story will lead you to the birth of DrugFAM . . . It is truly inspiring and wonderful what has been and continues to be achieved through this story.’ – Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham

‘I would urge all parents, teachers and pupils to read this heart-rending book.’ – FT Magazine

‘A book that is moving and ultimately, inspiring.’ – Waterstones Books Quarterly

Elizabeth Burton Phillips was a teacher, an ordinary mother who had always tried to do the best for her children; she never imagined that her identical twin sons, who had been doing so well at school, would become involved in drugs.

She was shocked when they were suspended from school for smoking cannabis; but this was just the start of a terrible descent into personal and family heartbreak. The painful journey ended in the way Elizabeth had always dreaded – a knock on the door in the middle of the night by the police. They gave her the devastating news that her son Nick had killed himself in despair at his heroin addiction.

Since his death, Elizabeth has campaigned tirelessly to make parents aware of the pain and suffering caused to families by drug addiction; and her surviving twin, Simon, now drug-free, has contributed his own thoughts to this inspiring and gut-wrenching story that will shake every reader to the core.

This new edition brings Elizabeth’s story up to date, sharing the inspiring achievements of the author – awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2017 Honours List – and her charity DrugFAM, giving hope to families impacted by addiction.