A future De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Product Design student has filled the transition from sixth form to university by raising vital funds for the NHS through her artwork.
Nicole Lander, who will start at DMU in September began using her skills to create tributes to NHS and key workers in April, initially with a piece showing frontline health workers gathered around Chesterfield’s ‘Crooked Spire’ Church.
As a result of a simple Facebook post of her artwork leading to an unexpected demand, the 18-year-old has now sold more than 180 hand-drawn replicates of the artwork raising over £2,000 for the NHS.
The funds along with a piece of Nicole’s artwork have been donated to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, where it will be used to enhance care facilities for patients and gift health and well-being experiences to primary care staff.
Nicole said: "The hospital was very thankful for all my time and effort. I am so pleased to know the money will partly be going towards rewarding primary care workers for all their hard work, that is exactly what I wanted to do with my artwork.
"They told me my artwork will be put in pride of place so staff can see it, aiming to ‘bring smiles to faces every day’."
Nicole added: "When I started drawing tributes in early April, I never dreamt it would have such an impact. It is amazing to know that you can make a difference just from the comfort of your own home, with simple things you already own."
Nicole has worked long hours to complete all the orders coming from widespread across the UK.
"It has taken me more than 240 hours to complete all the orders. It has been an honour to spend my time creating each personalised piece," she said. "The whole experience has made me feel like I am spreading love and happiness to those who are supporting us each day.
"The orders I have received started out to be local in in Chesterfield and Derbyshire before quickly escalating across the UK, I couldn’t believe it. I have completed orders for people in Huddersfield, Northampton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Newcastle, London, the list just keeps going."
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Nicole is now spending the summer getting ready to start DMU later this year.
"I am really looking forward to starting DMU in September, it is an exciting new chapter in my life, full of independence," she added. "I can’t wait to head to Leicester and meet new people on my course and in my accommodation. I am immensely excited for the whole experience and everything DMU has to offer."
All of Nicole’s artwork can be viewed on her Facebook page.
Posted on Monday 29 June 2020