Local artists donate work for festive jumpers

Two local artists have donated festive-themed works for Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, to turn into a series of Christmas jumpers for children and adults.

Henrietta Young, a painter based outside of Blandford Forum, regularly volunteers for Diverse Abilities at its adults’ activity centre, The Beehive, painting with its students and is working on a series of portraits of the people it supports. Henrietta is also involved in The Splash Appeal, a project to raise funds for a hydrotherapy pool for the centre. Her design, ‘Rudolph at The Beehive’, features the red-nosed reindeer with buzzy bee friends.

Claire Hawkins, freelance graphic designer based in Bournemouth, heard about the project and donated two designs to be printed onto the range of jumpers. She commented: “I wanted my designs to resonate with what we enjoy most about Christmas, while also linking into the charity and its services, that’s how the Bee Jolly and Bee Merry designs were born.”

Emma Bovey, fundraising manager, added: “We’re so excited about our range of Christmas jumpers – it’s been a fun process to see them go from designs on the page onto real life products. Whether you purchase a child’s jumper or an adult’s jumper, your money will go towards providing a range of festive activities for the people we support this winter.”

A fourth design has also been produced by Luke Hawker, the company’s digital communications officer, featuring a wreath comprised of the charity’s services and its values.

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/the-christmas-store to view the available products. Place a pre-order by Friday 27 November for your jumper to arrive in time for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.