Schoolgirl artist raises money for NHS with series of drawings

A kind-hearted young Wiganer has got her creative juices flowing during the lockdown by making a series of drawings to thank the NHS
Ava Murray with her drawingsAva Murray with her drawings
Ava Murray with her drawings

Talented Ava Murray, from Norley, has been producing artwork in support of the health service for the last few days.

It all started when nine-year-old Ava, who normally attends Westfield Community School on Montrose Avenue, created a rainbow image similar to ones youngsters across the country have been putting in windows to spread hope during the coronavirus crisis.

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However, having seen the work of the NHS first-hand when her great-grandad was admitted to hospital before his death earlier this year and being aware of the strain Covid-19 is putting on front-line services, Ava said she wanted to do more.

Since then she has come up with a stream of artworks thanking doctors and nurses for their work and also including images of Disney characters.

She has even decided to use her artistic talent to raise some money for Wigan’s hospital, with family and friends chipping in to buy her pictures.

Proud mum Zoe Murray said: “She’s done loads already. She’s doing her schoolwork and then doing this too, so she’s really busy.

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“Her great-grandad Joe Darby was in hospital in February and sadly died. She went to visit him and said the nurses work really hard and she wanted to raise some money for them.

“She’s Googling the Disney characters, looking at pictures and then drawing them. A couple of people have asked if she traces them but she does it all by hand.

“She’s getting donations from family and friends and she’s got some on order too. People have been saying what they want her to draw.

“She’s always thinking of other people. Once she’s sold them all we will donate the money to the hospital.”

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Meanwhile, Charlie, Freddie and Ava Faulkner have showed their gratitude to the NHS and also thanked those still going out to work, including retail staff, carers and refuse collectors by decorating their home.

The three youngsters, aged nine, three and nine months respectively, have a message of thanks emblazoned on the windows of their home on Tenbury Drive in Ashton.

The picture was shared by their proud grandmother Samantha Starr.

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