Meet the five-year-old girl from Washington raising money for NHS staff by painting rainbows

Jessica Willey, aged five from Washington has been raising money for NHS staff during the UK lockdown by selling paintings of rainbows.

Jessica got the idea from her cousins Molly-Rose, 7 and Poppy Willey, 4 who are also raising money for key workers.

At the time of writing, Jessica had raised £150, her mum Andrea said: “It all started when we put a box at the top of our drive with around 20 paintings in.

“We left a note saying that suggested donations were one-pound and all money goes to the NHS.

“Since then, word has spread and Jessica’s rainbows are being displayed all over the local area.”

It isn’t just the neighbours that are interested in a rainbow painting, Jessica has received donations from across the world.

“Her Uncle Keith lives in St. Albans near London, he has been receiving messages asking for rainbows, we’ve even had donations from Florida,” Andrea added.

Houghton based cafe, Wysteria Ave. have contacted the family to join forces.

The plan is to deliver “goody bags” to local hospitals, in which Jessica is going to design cards for the NHS workers.

Her mum said: “My husband Chris and I are so proud of Jessica, it’s been a great thing for her to do during the lockdown.

“It is lovely for her to be able to walk around the local streets and see all of the rainbows that she has designed.”

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