A MAN who has helped raise more than 300,000 for children's charities has been immortalised on canvas.

Francis Dunnery set up the Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children’s Fund in 2002 in memory of his parents. 

Charity donations have been used to buy hospital beds and entertainment units for children's oncology wards, construct libraries, build gardens, purchase educational supplies for local schools in Cumbria, and much, much more.

Francis Dunnery holds a weekend of events each October, with this year's festival starting with dinner at the Seacote Hotel on October 13, with entertainment by local artists.

There will be a sponsored walk on Saturday and a concert and aftershow party in the Egremont Market Hall on Saturday night.

The portrait of Francis Dunnery, painted from a photo by Lorraine Poole, will also be auctioned.

Paul Armstrong, who supports CKDCF, approached local artist Rob Mitchell about doing something for the event. 

He said he put two 'amazing artists' - Lorraine Poole and Rob Mitchell - together and was delighted with the result. The amazing photo, he added, resulted in an amazing portrait.

Rob Mitchell, who is married to Together We Can founder, Julianne Mitchell, said: "Over the years, CKDCF has supported my wife with lots of funding for charitable projects that she is involved with, so when Paul asked me to do this piece of art, its was a big yes and I was really honoured.

"I enjoyed doing the piece from an amazing photograph that Lorraine Poole provided, I hope we get to raise lots of money!"

To register an interest in the painting call Paul Armstrong on 07897590264.

For more information on the CKDCF music festival go to ckdcf.org.