A local artist has helped raise over £100 for charities helping with the conflict in Ukraine, by auctioning off a hand-drawn portrait of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskky.

Kirsty Kelty’s excellent artwork received numerous bids online after sharing her work on Facebook, with John Stottman eventually submitting the highest bid of £70. The winning bid was donated to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal.

Despite winning the online auction, after donating to the charity John kindly decided to give the drawing to one of the first bidders Danny Jackson who wanted the portrait for personal reasons due to having Ukrainian friends.

Other bidders for the portrait also chose to donate their bids despite not winning, with Francis James Tomlins donating to MobiVET South Wales who have been raising money for animals in desperate need in Ukraine, whilst Julian Edwards from Cibi Walk’s Tasty Tatoes donated to the Salvation Army who have been collecting money via a Ukraine appeal in Abergavenny.

Julian Edwards also helped promote Kirsty’s portrait and the auction online by sharing it on the Abergavenny Voice Facebook page.

Kirsty has been delighted with the number of donations received and the response to her portrait, saying: “I never dreamed that I’d manage to raise over a tenner, I’ve never sold my portraits before and it’s been a much-needed confidence boost. I’m now considering perhaps following this route further as there has been a tremendous response, and I’ve had many messages asking if I’d consider doing commissions.”

Following the great feedback to her artwork Kirsty, who is a mother of two boys and works in local jewellers Gus Jones, is now hoping to spend more time pursuing her hobby and producing more drawings.

She added: “I don’t always have much time to sit and draw, but after this perhaps it is something that I could explore more in the future.”

Kirsty went on to say how pleased she is that her work can hopefully make a difference to the people of Ukraine and how proud she is to be a part of a local community raising so much money towards those currently suffering in Ukraine.

“I’m just absolutely ecstatic that something I’ve drawn has managed to help the people and animals caught up in the current crisis, and even happier that we, as a community, have managed to raise quite so much.

“Abergavenny has really outdone itself, the generosity and compassion that this community has shown is a beautiful thing.

‘‘I hope we can continue to help Ukraine in any way, shape or form - and if this auction is anything to go by then I’m absolutely positive that we will continue to outstretch our hand.”