AN artist, who created a series of rainbow-coloured floral paintings to thank the NHS, has raised £1,000 for charity after her artwork was snapped up by social media followers.
Professional artist Susan Aggarwal, of Littleborough, Rochdale, first painted an array of floral images onto a large transparent material as a way of expressing her loss and grief after her mum died at the start of lockdown in March 2020.
When Sue shared photographs and videos of the art piece on social media, she was taken aback by the support and love she received from followers. So Susan, 55, decided to continue the floral theme and designed a series of prints and gift cards that she entitled 'A Rainbow of Flowers Our NHS’.
Susan, who works full time from her art studio and gallery at Woodend Mill, in Mossley, set up a fundraising campaign so all money from the sale of for her prints and cards went to NorthCare Charity – the NHS charity that supports Salford Royal. Susan’s art raised £1,000, which has gone to a special fund run by the charity to support staff and patients on the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Salford Royal, which is run by Salford Care Organisation.
Susan, who is originally from Hulme, Manchester, has been a professional contemporary artist for 15 years.
Susan said: “Being part of a group of people who have all come together to raise £1,000 to make a difference in another human beings’ life is what life is for me. It is the generosity of the beautiful people who bought my work that made it happen, so thank you to all my supporters for their kindness and humanity.
“As an artist, we often express our feelings through our art. Sometimes we create something very unique when we are going through challenges, which I was. I wanted to support the NHS because for me it was the most natural thing to do - support the people who are saving our lives. It helped me by giving something back to the NHS and CCU at Salford Royal, which has an incredibly valuable array of most gifted dedicated and compassionate healthcare professionals.”
Susan is continuing to use her art to support NorthCare Charity. 'A Rainbow of Flowers’ is being turned into a limited edition signed jigsaw puzzle, which will be available from autumn, and she plans to auction off some of her art pieces to raise money for the charity.
Susan will be fundraising and donating 20% of her sales of her signed prints and cards to NorthCare Charity during a summer exhibition at her studio at Level 3 Woodend Mill, on Manchester Road, Mossley (OL5 9RR), on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June, from 10am until 4.30pm. For more information visit www.susanaggarwalart.myshopify.com.
NorthCare Charity supports the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group’s four hospitals and community services across Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford by funding innovative equipment, education, research and wellbeing activities.
Karen Casper, NorthCare Charity fundraising officer, said: “Susan’s beautiful artwork has not only brought a smile to many people’s faces over the past year, but has helped raise an amazing amount of money that will make a difference to the lives of our patients and staff at Salford Royal. We look forward to working with Susan as she continues to support the charity and help us make a difference to where it is needed most.”