Sunderland artist creates inspiring print to raise money for NHS health heroes

An artist has raised hundreds of pounds in support of NHS staff with hand-painted prints providing a message of hope during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Karen Hughes, 41, has so far raised £400 for frontline health heroes through the sales of her print, called Isolated but Not Alone, which shows one figure handing over a heart-shaped balloon to another.

Created in line with the rainbow trail trend, which encourages families to place pictures of rainbows in their windows to bring a smile during the coronavirus lockdown, the print’s design has captured hearts across the world.

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And after it was shared on social media, the artist received a number of inquiries for people looking to make a purchase.

Isolated but Not Alone. The print created by Karen Hughes to raise money for NHS staff.Isolated but Not Alone. The print created by Karen Hughes to raise money for NHS staff.
Isolated but Not Alone. The print created by Karen Hughes to raise money for NHS staff.

This led Karen, of Fatfield, to create a number of limited edition, hand-embellished prints with the hopes of later creating digital prints featuring the same design when businesses re-open following the Covid-19 lockdown.

She told the Echo: “You fully understand what the message is by looking at it.

“It’s so lovely to know that I am helping people and I can give some money to charity and do something positive because our NHS staff are amazing.”

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Karen Hughes created heart-inspired artwork to help people cope after losing loved ones.Karen Hughes created heart-inspired artwork to help people cope after losing loved ones.
Karen Hughes created heart-inspired artwork to help people cope after losing loved ones.

She hoped that her creations, centered around hearts, would help others spread happiness and hope as people come to terms with loss and manage grief.

And Karen believes her latest print spreads a similar message of hope to others at a time where they may be struggling with their mental health due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The hand-embellished prints cost £40, with £20 of each print purchased going towards NHS staff. The remainder of the money pays for the creation and postage of the prints.

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