A mechanic has raised £1,000 for a charity in Ryedale through his artwork.
Rob Temple, who lives in Kirkbymoorside, raised the money for Ryedale Special Families (RSF) following a Christmas card appeal, and has now made the donation official with a cheque presentation.
The 40-year-old works as a mechanic at Cropton Garage and first started drawing at the end of 2021.
He has continued to produce new work ever since - completing a new drawing most weeks.
Rob decided to raise money for RSF following an appeal by Carrie Brackstone, whose daughter, Ruby, is losing her sight.
As reported by the Gazette & Herald at the time, Carrie urged anyone who would usually send a Christmas card to donate the money to RSF instead.
Carrie said RSF was a lifeline to children and their families.
The Malton-based charity supports families who have children and young adults with disabilities, illness and additional needs, throughout Ryedale.
It is currently fundraising for a new purpose-built facility in Pickering.
£1 million is needed to begin the work.
During the Christmas card appeal, Rob told the Gazette & Herald that he wanted to help the charity raise “as much money as possible” to get it closer to the target.
The artist met with RSF’s funding co-ordinator, Rob Davies, yesterday (April 19) at Cropton Garage to hand over the cheque for £1,000.
This meeting took place after the artist returned from a trip skiing in Bulgaria where he said he handed out drawings to people “who were nice” to him during his stay.
Of the cheque presentation, he said: “We had a little chat about everything. I said I am going to up the game next year and start earlier.
“(I’m) going for £2,000 or £3,000 next year.”
Rob Davies added that RSF was “indebted” to the artist for his work to raise funds for the charity, and the money will go towards the new facility.
The funding co-ordinator wished Rob “a huge thanks for raising as much as he did”.
Rob went on to say that he felt the Kirkbymoorside artist was “very talented”.
“I met him for the first time and he showed me a collection of his work,” he said.
“I look forward to working with him in the future.
“A huge thanks from everyone at Ryedale Special Families.”
Rob Temple is to hold art exhibitions this summer.
His annual exhibition will take place at the New Inn, Cropton, on June 25.
He will also hold an exhibition at the Memorial Hall, Pickering, from July 8 to 16.
You can keep up with his work online at: https://www.robsrandomdrawings.com/
To donate directly to RSF’s new building go to https://www.ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk
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