Gosport artist with autism, 12, creates impressive war-themed paintings to raise funds for Help for Heroes

PAINTINGS of poppies, Spitfires and soldiers are raising funds for Help for Heroes thanks to a talented young artist on a mission.
By Belinda Dickins
Published 11th Feb 2021, 07:00 BST

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Connor Clements, 12 from Gosport, has been creating artwork to raise funds for Help For Heroes. Pictured: Proud artist Connor with some of his workConnor Clements, 12 from Gosport, has been creating artwork to raise funds for Help For Heroes. Pictured: Proud artist Connor with some of his work
Connor Clements, 12 from Gosport, has been creating artwork to raise funds for Help For Heroes. Pictured: Proud artist Connor with some of his work

Artwork by Gosport schoolboy Connor Clements is being created and sold to raise funds for charity, in memory of his great grandad who was in the RAF.

Connor, who has autism, has been working on freehand paintings of war-themed images and popular films and games including Jurassic Park and Call of Duty.

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Connor’s great grandad Jim Mills was in the RAF, and sadly passed away a few years ago, so Connor wanted to give something back to help other veterans.

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The 12-year-old said: ‘I love drawing and painting as it keeps me calm due to my autism and other special needs.

‘My great-grandad was in World War Two, so were loads of other people, and they did so much for us and I want to give something back to say thank you.

‘My favourite things to paint are Spitfires, Lone Soldiers and poppies. I like doing these as it’s interesting to learn about and they are all heroes.’

Connor with his great grandad Jim MillsConnor with his great grandad Jim Mills
Connor with his great grandad Jim Mills
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Baycroft School pupil Connor’s efforts have raised £80 so far through selling his artwork, and there has been plenty of interest in his work online.

SEE ALSO: Gosport 10-year-old cheered on to marathon finish line by neighbours after raising £1,700 for Cancer Research UK

Proud mum Suzanne Clements said: ‘Connor’s dad and I are so proud of Connor, he is amazing at his work. Connor raising money makes him a hero as well.

‘I didn’t realise how much of an amazing artist he is. I’m just so proud of him, especially when he said he wanted to do it for charity. It made me cry.

Connor working hard on a paintingConnor working hard on a painting
Connor working hard on a painting

‘I know everyone’s been hearing about Covid a lot, so something like this might put a smile on people’s faces.’

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Connor, who would like to join the navy when he is older, plans to continue using his talents to create more paintings and hopes to take art as a GCSE option at school.

He aims to raise as much as he can for charity, and hopes to one day see a Spitfire in real life.

Visit Suzanne’s post at facebook.com/suzanne.clements.9/posts/10225034004777111 for more information or to buy a painting.

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Related topics:GosportHelp for HeroesRAF

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