Online charity auction for FareShare showcases work by Portsmouth artists and photographers

Arranged by Southsea artist and art teacher Deborah Dodsworth, the online FareShare auction was held with help from her brother Tom Keane, TV auctioneer and owner of auction house The Swan at Tetsworth.

Deborah, who was encouraged to hold the event by artist friend Louise Bennett from Cornwall, said: ‘Because we are both teachers we get to see a lot of kids who are in a situation where they need free school meals. FareShare is one of the most important organisations we have in the country at the moment.

‘The fact that the government has said they’re not going to provide free school meals over the summer - this is needed more than ever.’

Generous buyers and hardworking auction staff helped make it a success, with works from 28 contributors selling for more than £2,000 towards the cause.

Southsea photographer Mark Butler entered a print of a Southsea Esplanade shelter, which was sold for £130, and he delivered it personally so they could discuss the image together.

Mark said: ‘I chose the image as it documented the lockdown and captured the solitude of the current time, with an empty esplanade in what would normally have been a busy spring evening.’

Southsea couple Ros and David Wilding bought work by three local artists, including Mark Butler’s print.

Ros said: ‘I’m just really pleased for the charity – the food banks at the moment are absolutely essential.

‘I’m sure they’re a lifeline to a lot of people and you just hate to think of people going hungry.’

Deborah was pleased with the success of the charity effort, with particular thanks to her brother for offering his platform and waiving the auction fees.

She said: ‘We’re over the moon – considering it’s a Covid auction so money is tight and you don’t know who you are reaching, I think it’s a brilliant result.

‘Tom has been so generous with his time and all his staff worked on that for free. He’s a very kind man and it was the first time we’d ever done anything like that together.’

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