Loughborough artist helps Rainbows paint a bright future

A LOUGHBOROUGH artist who has raised more than £18,000 for Rainbows Hospice for children and young people by selling paintings over the last 17 years has pledged she will not stop painting and fundraising until she raises £20,000.

Margaret Harvey, a long-time supporter of Rainbows almost since the charity’s inception, is now in her eighties. She has been an ambassador for eight years but recently gave up this status for health reasons, although she remains involved with the charity.

Margaret paints with watercolour, acrylic and pastel. She also makes some hand-made cards using prints from her original paintings and personal photocards and cards using encaustic methods, also known as hot wax painting, which involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added.  She sells her work at Daisy’s Cafe at Brookles Nusery on Loughborough Road, Rothley and through Rainbows.

All proceeds from the cards and paintings go directly to Rainbows where the funds are used to help children with life-limiting illnesses.

“Rainbows had only been open a year when I became involved. I worked as a primary school teacher and I wanted to continue to work with children once I retired. Here I am, still involved with the charity 17 years later! It is a wonderful charity and I am glad to be able to support them,” said Margaret.