Gosport artist with autism, 12, creates impressive war-themed paintings to raise funds for Help for Heroes
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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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Hide AdConnor’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.
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.’
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Hide AdBaycroft 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.
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.
‘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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Hide AdConnor, 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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