IT WAS A CHANCE to see an exhibition of people who have made an impression on life in Winchester.

The Portrait Exhibition at the Great Hall featured those from all around Hampshire who have made a difference to the community through their work or activities.

The images were taken by photographer Michael Butters and were supported with artwork and sculpture by Winchester artist Nadine Collinson.

The event, in association with The Peter Cooper Motor Group and Paris Smith LLP, was also supported by Winchester city councillor Eileen Berry and the mayor of Winchester.

All the money raised will be donated to Winchester Cathedral, the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Southampton University Hospital and The Murray Parish Trust’s #2millionsteps Campaign.

Nadine said: "We were delighted how well the event was attended. It was fascinating to bring together the very diverse range of people who we photographed for the exhibition and it was a real honour to exhibit our work in such a majestic venue as the Great Hall.

"A very special thank you goes to Cllr Eileen Berry for her support and to our sponsors the Peter Cooper Motor Group and Paris Smith LLP whose experience and expertise was invaluable in making the whole exhibition such a success."

A private viewing was attended by public figures and many of the portrait subjects.

These included Nigel Atkinson the lord lieutenant of Hampshire, Gilly Drummond OBE, John Illsley, founding member of Dire Straits, Dr Sandy Lerner, founding patron of Chawton House Library, Dr Hilary Jones, Robert Hillier OBE VHM, Lawrie McMenemy, and Alan Lovell DL, chairman of Hampshire Cultural Trust.

A second evening event was attended by many more guests including Cllr Jane Rutter, The Hon Virginia Lovell and Jean Ritchie QC.

The evening was compered by Ali Sparkes, children’s author and patron of Friends of PICU, with talks by Kelly Marks, the horse whisperer and Alex Lewis, interior designer and motivational speaker.

A special announcement was made by James Murray from The Murray Parish Trust that a donation of £10,000 was made directly to the Murray Parish Trust as a result of the exhibition.

This donation will be match-funded by the Barker Mills Foundation and then this combined amount will then be match-funded by the government to add an incredible £40,000 to their #2MillionSteps campaign.

A silent auction ran throughout the exhibition which raised in excess of £5,000.

The Winchester Portrait Exhibition book is available at the Winchester Cathedral shop, The Discovery Centre, Farrow and Ball, No.5 the Bridge and other retail outlets in Winchester.