Local lads use art to help sick kids

Local lads use art to help sick kids

17 June 2015

TWO little boys will help bring cheer to hundreds of sick and vulnerable children through an arts programme that will be spread across hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Nine year-old Evan Walker and his seven year-old brother Leon have created cartoon characters that will be used by Arts Care for a three year health programme Cartwheel 999 for sick, disabled, vulnerable and life-limited children.

They developed the characters, Arty and Carey, with the names inspired by the Arts Care title, after their mum Janine Walker, who works for the arts and health charity, told them what they were hoping to do.

Janine said the boys, who live in Tyrella, immediately set to work with amazing results. She said Arty and Carey were so in keeping with the concept of the project that the charity decided to forego an illustrator and use the children’s work.

“I told them we were looking for friendly characters that would make children smile,” she said.

“Leon had a bicycle accident a couple of years ago and was kept in hospital overnight so he immediately put that experience to use. They put all their colouring bits and pieces on the table and started drawing amazing characters.

“They relished the whole thing. They are delighted that these characters will now become the branding for Arts Care.”

Arty and Carey were unveiled to the public yesterday during the launch of Cartwheel 999 at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast.

Through the programme businessmen and women, the local community and the wider public are being invited to invest £999 in the new children’s programme. 

This £999 can be made up of £9.99 or £99 or £999 to help bring  love laughter into the young lives of sick children and young people through the arts.

Arts Care was founded 23 years ago by Strangford man Ronnie Dunne. With almost 20 artists in residence across Northern Ireland, the charity brings arts into health and social care setting.