A Salford artist has set up an urgent appeal by selling limited edition paintings to help a mental health charity with funding.  

Andrew Alan Matthews has produced a portrait of the founder of the Project 23 charity Mark Sproston to help them with funds.

Mark Sproston, who set up the award-winning mental health group, after the death of his brother to suicide, intended to use this as an opportunity to secure extra funding for the organisation.

The method of raising funds was through the sales of the prints of the portrait, with a proportion of every painting sold going straight to the Project 23 Mental Health Group.

Artwork by Andrew Alan Matthews Credit: Andrew Alan Matthews

Following the release of the portrait, artist Andrew Alan Matthews spoke about his involvement in the project, saying: “Project 23 means a great deal to me as I suffered through mental health issues which led me to try and take my life in 1996.”

“If I had this back then it might have saved me.”

“I think what Mark (Sproston) is doing is a valuable thing throughout the community and for people who are in a dire situation because they can get the help they need.”

However, donations are now needed more than ever to help keep the organisation alive, as it has been shared on their GoFundMe ‘that times have changed and the electricity bills are taken their toll on the project’.

And with Mark already using all of his own £50,000 pension to get this off the ground, the local artist was more than supportive of keeping the project alive.

“I am trying to help in the best way I can by selling these prints or possibly selling the original painting,” said Andrew.

“If anyone can donate to the project, it will help Mark immeasurably to carry on his good work.”

To carry on his good work, please donate to https://www.gofundme.com/f/project-23-mental-health-group

The iconic Salford landmark painter has produced a portrait of founder Mark Sproston, with limited edition prints available now to purchase that can be found here.

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