A BIRCHWOOD woman is raffling off one of her paintings in support of Ukraine.

As the national flower of Ukraine is a sunflower, Kay Ashton thought it would be apt to paint some of those.

She did so last week and began the raffle on Sunday.

“The people of Ukraine and the refugees really struck a chord with me,” said Kay, who moved to Birchwood in 1981.

“I remember imagining if I had to up sticks from my house and leg it with the clothes on my back, you would think that it’s unthinkable in the modern age.

“I could donate money but I wanted to do something in line with what I do.

“It’s just so lovely. It’s the only way I really know to help out my way by painting.

“It’s more personal when I’ve painted it and it makes you feel like you have helped.

“You feel a bit helpless being so far away and not being able to physically help.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer to do the sunflower painting.”

So far, £550 has been raised towards the 20’ x 30’ painting thanks to the raffle.

Raffle tickets cost £2.50 per ticket or £10 for a strip of five.

The 55-year-old added: “The more people involved, the more we raise for them.

“I couldn’t thank them enough for donating. It shows that other people are thinking the same way I am.

“The situation in Ukraine has made people stop and think that they can donate and help.

“Even if you don’t like the painting and it’s not your cup of tea, if you were to win it you could donate it to a hospital ward.”

 

The full painting

The full painting

 

With the funds, instead of giving it to the disaster aid, Kay wants to directly support Ukrainian refugees that come to Warrington or the region.

Kay continued: “If I can keep it locally I think it will be even better.”

Visit the Facebook post ">here to find out more about the raffle, which is open until Monday.