Leon Fenemor presenting his painting to the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo: Supplied.

Young Nelson artist ‘an inspiration’

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A budding Nelson artist has managed to raise $2200 by selling copies of his artwork depicting the heroic efforts of helicopters fighting the Tasman Fires.

Broadgreen Intermediate pupil Leon Fenemor, 11, saw the impact that the largest wildfire in more than 60 years was having on the entire region. Then, after visiting the Nelson Suburbs Football Club to donate food for the firefighters he was inspired to paint the picture when he got home.

Leon Fenemor’s painting depicting the helicopter firefighting efforts. Photo: Supplied.
Leon Fenemor’s painting depicting the
helicopter firefighting efforts. Photo: Supplied.

After a photo of his painting went viral, Leon and his parents Daryl and Cheree decided to make copies of the painting and sell them through a Facebook page to raise money for local charities.

Users of the page decided where the funds would go, and with Speedy Print making 100 copies free of charge, Daryl says they were “delighted” to be able to donate the proceeds to their chosen organisations last week.

“Leon delivered a $1200 cheque to Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust and $1000 was spread around the region’s fire stations in the form of supermarket vouchers.”

Daryl says the prints are mainly in homes around the Nelson Tasman region, but one went as far as England and others were sent around the country.

One special copy has gone to Alan Beck who is the pilot of the helicopter depicted in the painting, he plans to blow the print up and have it in prime place in his hangar as well as a copy at home.

“It’s absolutely fabulous that he took that on off his own bat without any sort of parental guidance,” says Alan.