Support Treloar’s Winter Appeal

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Treloar’s Winter Appeal launches on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Can you contribute to their fundraising?

This year’s Treloar’s Winter Appeal will focus on raising funds to replace 54 hoists across the school.

Hoists are a life-changing piece of equipment that allow individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, by safely manoeuvring them within their classrooms, learning areas and residential houses.

The Maxi Sky 600 hoists used across Treloar’s are coming to the end of their working lives and will become obsolete by December 2025. The school currently has 154 of these hoists – all of which are in constant daily use. Each new hoist costs £910.

The school is urgently fundraising to replace the remaining 54 hoists. Over the years, the complexity of Treloar’s students’ needs has increased, and today all students are wheelchair-users. The majority have a sensory impairment and over half use assisted speech technology to communicate. For nearly all students, getting out of their wheelchair is impossible without assistance. Having hoists enables students to get out of their wheelchairs in their classrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, swimming pool and leisure areas.

Clare Bradford, Joint Head of Physiotherapy at Treloar’s said: “Given our students’ complexities, hoists are an absolute necessity for safely manoeuvring our students within their classrooms and learning areas and in the residential houses. The hoists also enable students to access a variety of equipment and environments. This includes being able to get onto their trikes or access the trampoline, swimming pool and soft play. Hoists are found in all common rooms, physiotherapy rooms and in students’ bedrooms and bathrooms. Having hoists available in each room plays a huge role in unlocking the potential in our students and enabling them a greater level of independence, choice and comfort. If you are able, please help us provide hoists for all our students by donating to our winter Appeal.”

Treloar’s Student, Leon, said: “It’s nice to be out of my wheelchair. I had never been hoisted before I got to Treloar’s so it’s nice to not be sitting down all day now. I like getting out of my chair – it’s not good to be in it all day so it’s good to do other stuff.”

Another student added: “Having a hoist in class is marvellous, I can now do walking and standing with my friends and not miss out on anything else.”

Can you help?

This winter, help us lift lives at Treloar’s – JustGiving

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Young entrepreneurs wanted for Sobell Accumulator

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Sobell House Hospice Charity have launched a new challenge for young people in Oxfordshire to develop and showcase their entrepreneurial skills

The Sobell Accumulator is an enterprise project for secondary schools, colleges, guiding and scouting groups running from Thursday, 16th January until Thursday, 22nd May.

Participating organisations will be given a seed fund of £50 that their young people will re-invest to raise money for Sobell House Hospice, until they reach their chosen fundraising target. The deadline to register is Monday, 2nd December 2024.

Activate Learning were one of the first to sign up. Aino Halla said: “Participating in the Sobell Accumulator is a fantastic opportunity for Activate Learning students to make a meaningful impact while developing their skills. This philanthropic project aims to raise funds for a local hospice that supports individuals with life-limiting illnesses. By participating, students will gain invaluable experience and face an ambitious challenge that complements their studies. Led by our Student Leadership Team, this initiative promises to be immensely rewarding, offering all students the chance to contribute to a noble cause and enhance their personal and professional growth.”

There’s lots of benefits for students and organisations to take part, including developing skills such as managing money, fundraising, leadership, creativity, project management and teamwork. They will also get the opportunity to work with a business mentor, benefit from networking opportunities with other participants and business mentors and selected students from the winning organisations will get to go on air with Get Radio!

There are only 30 places available with Abingdon School, Abingdon & Witney College, Activate Learning, The Cherwell School, Cheney School and The Iffley Academy already signing up. It’s a brilliant opportunity for any group of students who want to dive further into the world of business, fundraising or project management.

To sign up by December  2nd go to The Sobell Accumulator – Sobell House

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Amersham Rotarians, united for Ukraine 

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Peter McLoughlin tells us how Amersham Rotarians recently learned how Ukrainian heritage & culture is being protected thanks to community support 

The Rotary Club of Amersham was delighted to welcome Inna Hryhorovych MBE, the Headteacher of St Mary’s Ukrainian Schools and the CEO of Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust in London and Tanya Orlova, her colleague who is a clinical psychologist, chair of school PTA, psychologist and a founder of 2BWell. 

Inna offered a brief history of St Mary’s Ukrainian school, based in Holland Park, London, which was founded in 1955.While it initially had only one location, the school has grown to 14 locations across the London area and Glasgow since 2022. 

To meet the needs of the many displaced Ukrainian children now living in the Amersham area, St Mary’s has set up a local location. Every Sunday morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm, a group of 92 Ukrainian children meet at The Amersham School. They learn about Ukrainian history and culture as well as maintaining their language skills. 

These are children whose parents – in most cases only their mothers – have fled the Putin attack on Ukraine. Although safely settled in the Chilterns and the majority in mainstream schools these children clearly need to safeguard their Ukrainian culture and heritage because at some future date they wish to return. 

St Mary’s, in addition to providing cultural support, is also able to provide psychological support for children who may have suffered direct or indirect trauma as a result of the assault on their homeland. 

Rotary in Amersham has already supported Ukrainian children in local schools by providing Ipads with a programme to help with their understanding of English. 

Last year one Amersham Rotarian organised a screening of Paddington Bear in Ukrainian at the National Film School in Beaconsfield. Over 100 parents and children attended. The surprise was that the voiceover was done by a Ukrainian actor who is now the President of Ukraine!  

After the presentation the Rotary Club made a donation of £500 to St Mary’s. 

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Thriving community for women with cancer

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Breast cancer thriver and cancer carer Charmian D’Aubosson has launched The Thrive Tribe, a new supportive community gathering for women aged 18-50, impacted by cancer

The inaugural meeting of The Thrive Tribe was held at Cassidy’s Bar in Alton in October, we asked Charmian to tell us more about The Thrive Tribe, what the thinking is behind it, who it’s for and how women can benefit from it. 

“I set up The Thrive Tribe with the sole purpose of providing a safe, caring community for other women impacted by cancer, something I didn’t have access to when I was going through cancer. The aim is to be a different kind of cancer peer support group by creating a welcoming, safe space run by women, for women where we can come together to laugh, enjoy fun activities and focus on the brighter moments (even finding humour in the darker ones). I believe that when we can be our authentic selves, with people who truly understand, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted.  

“Rather than sitting quietly discussing our diagnoses there’ll be fun stuff such as quizzes, craft workshops, mocktail tastings, wellness events and more. There’ll also be the opportunity to chat, get support and be around others going through similar experiences. 

“Wherever a person is on their cancer journey, they’ll be welcomed into the group and invited to be part of a caring, non-judgemental and fun community.  

“Cassidy’s Bar is kindly hosting our monthly meetings where attendance is free, just buy a drink and/or a snack. Workshop events might incur a charge from the workshop host which will be communicated in advance. Attendance at monthly meetings or events is without obligation. We look forward to welcoming new members to our community so please do share with anyone you know who’d benefit.” 

Charmian holds an Accredited Diploma as a Transformative Life Coach and is an Associate of the International Coaching Federation. She has a passion for supporting individuals going through cancer so that they feel supported, heard and empowered each step of the way. Charmian also partners with organisations to support them to work better with cancer, improving the wellbeing of those impacted by cancer in the workplace. 

In addition to coaching, Charmian works as a yoga teacher in the local community and offers private yoga for cancer classes. In her spare time, she loves being out in nature either walking or cycling and her happy place is anywhere in the mountains. Charmian lives in Alton with her husband and two dogs. 

If you’d like to know more, if you have any questions about The Thrive Tribe, or you’d like to sign up to join one of the monthly meetings, please visit: Charmian D’Aubosson | Transformative Life Coaching

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Pride of place: celebrating Cookham’s charms!

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Helen Steel, director of Streamlion Consulting, tells us what she loves most about local life

Q. Hi Helen, tell us about yourself!
“I’m 57 and company director of Streamlion Consulting. We help start-ups and scale-ups find funding. We are grant application and start-up loan specialists and business consultants so have our clients’ strategies and goals in focus at all times. I have one son, who’s 16, two stepdaughters, and a partner!”

Q. Where do you live?
“Cookham. I’ve been here for 23 years and before that, Maidenhead.”

Q. What pets do you have?
“A tortoise called Graham, a corn snake called Seth, and Baxter & Greta, two smooth-haired fox terriers, both 10, who love the local walks in Cookham. We have everything here; the river, woods, fields and beautiful wildflowers. The Quarry Woods are nice and cool on a hot day. Big shout-out to young Cookham entrepreneur Josh Mustard who makes dog biscuits: Baxter and Greta are fans!”

Q. What do you most love about where you live?
“The location. I love being so close to London but still in the middle of the countryside. I love the beautiful view over Winter Hill and watching the magical sunset over the river.”

Q. What would you change?
“The continuous need to develop housing estates on lovely green farmland. And the river water quality – it’s now so polluted we can’t swim in it safely.”

Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants?
“Neps Bistro in Cookham which is under new management. I also really enjoy The Old Swan Uppers, The White Oak & Bel and the Dragon in Cookham. There is also a wonderful Japanese restaurant in Maidenhead called Miyazaki which is amazing plus the Vietnamese called Suum in Marlow.”

Q. What about shops?
“I love to mooch round the florist Pink & Perfect in Maidenhead and the café Daisy Love in Cookham. I regularly pop into Michele’s in Flat Harry’s cycle shop in Cookham. Plus Flowerland garden centre in Bourne End is a treasure trove of and the Apple Orchard in Wycombe is also worth a mention!”

Q. What are your favourite local hidden secrets?
“Cookham Moor was the inspiration for Wind in the Willows and, of course, we have the Stanley Spencer Gallery and beautiful Victorian cottages along Cookham High Street and Cookham Dean. Victoria Cottages were built in 1850 for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and Cromwell cottage – as the name suggests, where Cromwell stayed over.”

Q. What highlights are you looking forward to next year?
“The Gravity Grand Prix is always great fun, held in Crookham Dean in September. I’m also looking forward to the late summer/autumn fairs and harvest celebrations. The local winter markets are also great.”

Q. Are you a member of any local groups?
“I’m an avid networker and attend several local groups. I’m also a member of rowing groups.”

Q. If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“My one wish for the world would be to remember that everyone is intrinsically good – approach life with a positive outlook. Look for the best in people and you will reap greater life and business rewards.”

Visit Home – Streamlion Consulting

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Surrey Wildlife Big Give Christmas Challenge

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Image: Vaughn Matthews

Karen Neville

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Help Surrey’s nature bounce back this Christmas – world-beating heathland habitats need your help and every donation will be doubled this December

Wildlife lovers in Surrey can make a gift with double the impact this Christmas, thanks to an appeal by Surrey Wildlife Trust with the backing on the philanthropic Big Give Christmas Challenge.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s 100 for Heathlands Campaign – part of its urgent Save Surrey’s Nature appeal – is aiming to raise £100,000 for our county’s rare and threatened heathland environments – habitats that support a huge range of animal and plant life that can’t thrive elsewhere, from Nightjars and Sand Lizards to wildflowers, butterflies and the small-but-ferocious Heath Tiger Beetle.

Image: Nick Upton

From midday on Tuesday 3rd December to midday on Tuesday 10th December, contributions from members of the public up to a total of £25,000 will be doubled by a match funding pot of £25,000, made up of £12,500 from Big Give Champions and £12,5000 from pledgers Kia UK – potentially enabling SWT to raise a total of £50,000 towards its target.

Sadly, more than 86 per cent of Surrey’s lowland heathlands have been lost in the last two centuries, with those that remain requiring careful management to survive the impact of climate change, pollution, the over-growth of dominant plants and excessive development. As well as working with volunteers, conservation experts and local communities to keep Surrey’s heaths in top condition, SWT wants to create new corridors of good habitat to make Surrey’s landscapes more resilient, help wildlife find safe places to live and prevent the fragmentation of these special places.

The Trust is even exploring the reintroduction of native species like Beavers, Black Grouse and Red Deer to restore heathland ecosystems to their full potential for wildlife and people, and plans to carry thorough studies to assess the feasibility of these initiatives.

Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Director of Reserves Management James Herd, who leads conservation work on heaths including Barossa, Pirbright Ranges, Whitmoor Common and Chobham Common says: “Helping protect our beautiful local heathlands is a great way to create some good news this Christmas. Nature faces immense challenges, but we have big plans to turn things around. If we all do what we can for the places we care about, we can ensure that wildlife has a secure home for generations to come – and that will be good for every one of us.”

What your donation can do:

£10 helps maintain areas of bare ground on heathland reserves to benefit insects and reptiles. 

£25 pays for a conservation grazing animal to graze a site for a week, keeping it in good condition for nature. 

£36 will pay for a habitat survey to ensure we are doing the right thing for particular species. 

£165 pays for one hectare of heathland management on Whitmoor common. 

£300 pays for a tree popper, an important piece of equipment for scrub clearance used by Reserve officers and volunteer groups. 

£1,200 pays for 4 hectares of heathland restoration and management on Chobham common.

Donate and find out more about Save Surrey’s Nature and the 100 for Heathlands appeal at www.surreywildlifetrust.org/save-nature

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Surviving Christmas when you’ve lost someone

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Grief can feel especially acute at this time of year. Celebrant and founder of Abingdon Compassionate Café Fiona Mac shares her tips to help you be kind to yourself

As Oxfordshire author Clare Mackintosh shares in her best-selling novel I Promise It Won’t Always Hurt Like This, “Grief is universal. Our experiences of death are different, so, too, are the emotions that follow. Your grief is as unique as you are – as unique as your relationship was, with the person you’ve lost. We all grieve in our own way.”

This is no more apparent than during the festive season. Experience has taught me that everyone’s grief is unique, there is no right way or wrong way to feel. It can be a daily challenge, so when the festive season comes along, emotions can run high and we can experience different and difficult feelings, feelings out of sync with everyone else.

In Clare’s book she also writes: “Some people draw comfort from turning anniversary days into something positive. I don’t think this can be forced, and you shouldn’t put pressure on to celebrate someone’s life when you are still struggling with their death, but you might be able to think of small ways to bring colour to these difficult days.”

Here are some thoughts and ideas that may help this upcoming festive season:

It’s OK not to be feeling OK, it is important to prioritise your needs, both emotionally, practically and physically.

I want to be alone: and that’s OK too. Just make sure you try and make time and plan for regular meals and movement (some much-needed self-care). Last Christmas after losing her parent, one friend treated herself to her favourite meal (she had cooked the week before), got up early and walked with the dog for three hours, returned home, got into her PJs, had her meal and got cosy for the rest of the day. Indulge in a bit of self-love.

Being in nature: A walk in the fresh air can do wonders.

Plan a comfortable Christmas: Rather than do what you and others think you should be doing, make sure you plan what you want to do. You can still embrace some traditions if that feels right, step away from them for this year, or create your own.

A time for heightened emotions, so avoid overdoing it: All emotions use up valuable energy, so try not to ‘overdo’ things and get over tired.

Take a social media/TV break: If you’re finding things difficult, take a break from TV, social media, or Christmas films.

If you are with family or friends: Talk about your loved one often, think of a way of talking about them, lighting a candle at mealtimes, making a toast to them, watching old videos, or preparing a photo book to look through photos together after the festive lunch or dinner.

Spend the day volunteering – many charities are calling out for help over the festive season, and it can fill the day and leave you with a sense of wellbeing.

Ditch the turkey – one friend shared their first Christmas without her Dad. They ate his favourite meal instead! La Loop (soup of the day) and spaghetti on your knees (Spaghetti Bolognaise) finished off with roly poly and custard!! They shared stories, laughed, cried and said how much he would have loved it! Followed by of course a toast… with Scotch Whisky.

Personally, we light a candle Christmas Eve and light it every meal we share together over the festive season and think of our loved ones. Inspired by these words from Howard Thurman: “I will light a candle this Christmas, Candles of joy despite the sadness:

Candles of hope, where despair keeps watch, Candles of courage for fears ever present: 

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days; candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, 

Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all year long.” 

And lastly, reach out for support: You can call Samaritans for free, call 116123, Shout text “SHOUT” to 85258  or “YM” if you are under 19. Child Bereavement UK (up to 25 years) call 0800 02 888 40. 

Join us at the Abingdon Compassionate Café, 10am to 12 noon on 20th December at St Ethelwold’s House and leave a memory label for your loved one on our Christmas Memory Tree.  

For more details please email [email protected] or visit Partners | Fiona Mac Celebrant

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World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Friends Karl and Ed from Ascot are preparing to set off for the Canary Islands, but their trip will be no holiday as the pair get set to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic

Spare a thought for Karl Austen and Ed Shaw as you tuck into your turkey and enjoy Christmas with family and friends, the intrepid duo will be crossing the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row.

The friends are embarking on the 3,000 mile challenge from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua, starting on December 12th with the aim of raising funds for Dementia UK and Prostate Cancer UK, which have special meaning for the pair. Both have parents suffering from these awful diseases.

Their boat has now shipped to the start point and Karl and Ed, as team 2Stroke, will join her on November 30th. They have spent most of the summer travelling up and down to Portland for on water training while much of the last few weeks have been spent preparing and packing the boat – food, clothing and equipment – and going through extensive lists to make sure they have everything covered.

“As the race draws near it is all very ‘real’ now but we’re actually not nervous,” says Karl. “As we have spent over 250 hours on the boat training we feel well prepared. As they say, ‘Confidence is built through evidence’. We can’t wait to get out to La Gomera where we will have lots of briefings, safety meetings, kit inspections and then final packing of the boat. We will also take the boat out in the Atlantic waters for final safety checks post shipping before we set off.”

Both Karl and Ed will take turns on the oars, two hours on and two hours off, undertaking their two hour shifts for a minimum of 12 hours per day each, and never sleeping for more than two hours at a time. “Our only contact with the world will be via a satellite phone, as the race is completely unassisted and we will carry everything we need for up to two months at sea in our Rannoch R25 rowing vessel. From the dangers of 40ft waves and sea sickness, to Marlin strikes and salt sores, The World’s Toughest Row is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance!

“The challenge will strip us of all the comforts of modern life and test every part of our mental and physical resilience; it is the ultimate test.”

They’ll be posting regular updates and wills end small video and voice notes via satellite to their ground crew. Follow their progress on Instagram @2stroke.team

For more of their story and to donate visit their website at 2stroke.team and at Fundraiser by Edward Shaw : 2 Stroke – Atlantic Challenge, 3000 miles unassisted row

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Sustainable Amersham volunteers are shining saviours

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Janey Wall tells us how Sustainable Amersham’s volunteers saved more items from landfill at the last café, which had a joyful animal theme!

Christmas was on some customers’ minds at the recent Amersham Repair Café. Among the first through the door was Sarah Osborne, with a decorative outdoor animated deer which, during the festive season, graces the front of her Amersham home, to the delight of passing schoolchildren.

The deer is a fawn, which used to ‘graze’, moving its head up and down, alongside its ‘grazing’ mother… Well, the fawn still lit up but refused to budge its head. Volunteer repairer Paul found the motor gears were seized up after years of winter weather. The issue was accessing the motor casing, which – being designed for outdoor use – was glued. Paul tried spraying WD40 where he could try to loosen any rust and lubricate seized parts but without success. Fellow repairer John, who, it seemed, had ‘reindeer experience’ was consulted. But the verdict was that a replacement motor was required, which Sarah said she would source, before returning to the Repair Café in January. Alas, Bambi will go hungry this Christmas.

Quite an animal theme developed at the latest Repair Café. One who came in with her owner, Judith, was Molly the ‘choodle’ or a cross between a chihuahua and a miniature poodle. The little dog herself did not require repair. Rather a solution was needed to help Molly travel comfortably in Judith’s rollator walker, when they’re on the move. The issue dogging Molly was the tendency of the compartment lid where she sits – which doubles up as a seat – to shut on her. A simple solution was found: a ribbon attaching the lid to the rollator frame, which can easily be untied.

Another creature needing attention was a ceramic and brass owl with a broken left leg. The bird had long kept watch over Sylvia Lawson’s kitchen from a perch on a shelf, after she picked it up in Mexico decades ago. The owl is a beautiful example of hand-painted Tonala Mexican folk art. Wise owl repairer Judi not only had the leg splinted and glued within minutes, but also gave it a polish. Sylvia’s verdict: “He’s looking a million times better.”

The Sustainable Amersham Repair Café can be a hoot, attracting many repeat customers. It’s free, with a free cuppa and cake while you wait (two items per person). The latest café also featured a popular cable drop; these are full of copper which can be recycled and reused. 22 items were fixed and saved.

The next Amersham Repair Cafe is 10am-1pm on 4th January at St Michael’s in Sycamore Road.

Please visit Home – Sustainable Amersham

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Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates: scene-stealing gifts!

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Local creative & cover artist Debbie Shrimpton created her first illustration during lockdown. Today, her joyful portraits make heartfelt gifts

For 20 years mother-of-two Debbie Shrimpton worked as a childrenswear fashion designer. After more than a decade with M&S, she’d gone freelance and was comfortably set in her career, working with retailers all over the world. But then the coronavirus hit… “All retailers stopped using freelance designers due to excess stock and an enforced change to their in-house systems,” she recalls.

“During lockdown I was home schooling my children Poppy and Rosie with the added pressure of having no income for us.

“I had to find a way to diversify and generate an income fast. My friend’s birthday was approaching and as I couldn’t choose a gift in a shop I decided to draw her home, pop it in a frame I already had and give her a present saying: ‘Sorry this is the best I could come up with’. My friend was so delighted with her house portrait that she encouraged me to advertise on the local Facebook groups offering house portraits.”

That first Facebook advert in 2020 revealed a market. “Within two weeks I had received 18 orders for house portraits for people I didn’t know,” says Debbie. “This gave me confidence that I had created something people (other than my friends!) wanted to buy.”

Because house portraits were only saleable to one customer, Debbie decided to build a portfolio of Loved Local Landmark illustrations starting with all her favourites. She has an ongoing series of High Street illustrations of beloved market towns, including Amersham, Chesham, Wendover and Great Missenden. “One of my favourite places to illustrate has been the Sunflower Fields near Wigginton,” says Debbie. “This was inspired by visits to the PYO sunflower fields with my children: it’s such a mesmerising, happy sight and I believe I’ve captured this happiness in my illustration. It’s proved to be one of my best-selling illustrations along with the stunning bluebell woods, another of my favourite local scenes.”  

Her illustrations can take anything from four hours to several days – and Debbie now has quite a collection. “I have now drawn more than 400 houses, 200 cars and campervans, more than 75 wedding venues, 100+ business premises, 14 aeroplanes, many pubs and 35 Loved Local Landmarks,” she smiles.  

“I’ve done many unusual bespoke commissions for customers including a scaffold yard as a memento before demolition, a wild swimming pond, a treasured beach hut, a football ground, a memorable cricket match, an aeroplane flying over a donkey, and even a spot where a customer proposed to capture that memory.  

“I’ve been asked to do draw people but have declined as how people look is much more subjective… Buildings, vehicles and landscapes are more straightforward! I sometimes include silhouettes of people with their dogs walking in their favourite locations or pets outside homes but don’t like to draw detailed portraits of faces.”  

Thus far about 70% of Debbie’s commissions have been in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire but she continues to grow her portfolio. “This year I bought a Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates branded gazebo and I’ve done numerous markets and shows, including the St Francis Hospice Classic Car Show, Hyde Heath village fete & car show, Ashridge House Garden Party, Redbourn Classic Car Show, Lucky Duck Makers Market, Peterley Manor Farm Christmas market and Chiltern Made, to name just a few.” 

The latest string to Debbie’s bow has been hosting illustration workshops in primary schools as a visiting local artist. She has inspired children with her story of resilience and adapting to change and taught step-by-step classes to draw landmarks, encouraging confidence in creativity and giving an example of a career created out of something she loves. 

“The positive response I’ve had has been overwhelming. The support from my local community, especially to promote me and commission me has been incredible. But the biggest surprise has been how grateful and complimentary my customers have been. After so many years working in the fast- paced world of fashion, I’m used to working under pressure, to tight deadlines churning out designs without seeing the joy on the customer’s face when they purchase. Meeting my customers has been fantastically rewarding and motivating. The feedback I get is heart-warming. Some of my illustrations have even brought tears to the recipient’s eyes.” 

Visit Custom Illustrations – Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates 

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