Photographers create calendar in memory of Dean Matthews to help Sunderland dad's family

The much-loved Sunderland dad died on Thursday, November 12, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Hundreds of tributes were paid to the Sunderland dad-of-five, who has been described as a ‘lovely soul’ and an ‘exceptional photographer’.

Now, photographers have joined together to help produce a calendar in Dean’s memory with all of the proceeds going to his grieving family.

The Calendar Company owner Jason Cornish is behind the idea to create a calendar which will include the work of 12 photographers.

He said: “We produced calendars for Dean for four years in a row.

"I saw the news on Facebook and we decided to produce a calendar in his memory and which will help support his family.

“We’ve sold 218 calendars already which is more than £1,300 raised within 12 hours for his family.

"Dean’s obviously well loved by the community. We’ve put one of his images on the front cover.

"We’d like to thank everyone who has bought a calendar already. We hope it’s going to provide the family with some financial support especially in the run up to Christmas so money isn’t something they will have to worry about.”

Each calendar costs £9.99 with £6 from every calendar being donated to Dean’s wife and children.

Another fundraiser, set up by fellow photographer, Liam McCormick, and husband, Michael McGrath, has raised more than £3,000 to go towards a memorial bench in one of the locations Dean was often spotted taking his stunning photographs.

To buy a calendar or find out more click here.

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