Auction to raise funds for family of hit-and-run victim

Andrew Johnson, 43, listed the unique painting on eBay on Wednesday, April 5 and the auction is due to end on April 15 at 1.43pm.

Bidding has already passed the £50 mark and Mr Johnson says the full and final amount will be donated to Violet-Grace Youens’s family.

The four-year-old was killed and her grandmother, Angela French, of Golborne, seriously injured as they crossed Prescot Road in St Helens.

Mr Johnson said: “Having a two year old niece myself I was horrified by this reckless and cruel event.”

After learning of the four-year-old’s passing, Mr Johnson resolved to use his unique talents to raise money for the Youens family. Mr Johnson added: “I wanted to offer something personal to the family. I felt a need to show that there is still goodness in humanity and the local community following such an ugly, cruel and destructive event.”

The painting, ‘Love, Light and Happiness’, is an original floral art canvas made from thick impasto paints and is strung at the back ready for hanging.

“I chose “Love, Light and Happiness” as a beacon to the cause.

“It has a lot of purples and especially violet colours within it.

“A lot of my art is uplifting and spiritual and I wanted to donate something special and unique to support the family.

“This art is a one off original and celebrates love and light. I hope it will go to a good home to be cherished and bring some financial support to the devastated family of this lovely little girl.”

Mr Johnson’s paintings can sell for thousands of pounds. He currently has a similar painting listed on eBay for £1,900.

The painting was recently featured in an exhibition at the Old Courts in Wigan as part of the town’s ‘Francophonie’ week.

There has been an incredible response to fund-raising for Violet-Grace’s family with a Go-Fund-Me campaign raising over £22,000 in 12 days. Two men have been charged in connection with the incident.

Visit the link below to make a bid www.andrewalanart.com/violet-grace-auction/4593782117