CELEBRITIES, public figures and unsung heroes were the subjects of a portrait exhibition in Winchester which has raised thousands of pounds towards a new children’s intensive care unit, it has been revealed.

The Winchester Portrait Exhibition, held in April, celebrated people who have made an impression on local life through their work and activities.

More than 100 subjects were photographed by Michael Butters for the event organised by Twyford artist Nadine Collinson, including those who have given many years of service to organisations and well-known faces like TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh.

The exhibition was held to raise funds for Winchester Cathedral, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Southampton General Hospital and The Murray Parish Trust’s #2millionsteps campaign for a children’s A&E department in Southampton.

The Murray Parish Trust aims to raise £2 million for a state-of-the art children’s accident and emergency unit in Southampton.

It was founded by actors Sarah Parish and James Murray in 2009 in memory of their eight month old daughter Ella-Jayne, who died of congenital heart failure.

Now, it has been revealed that the exhibition raised £10,800, with a further £10,000 donation made directly to the Trust as a result of the exhibition.

This donation was match-funded by the Barker-Mill Foundation and the combined amount will be match-funded by the government to add £40,000 to the #2MillionSteps campaign.

The grand total was revealed by Winchester city councillor Eileen Berry at Winchester’s Lainston House Hotel.

James Murray, co-founder of The Murray Parish Trust, said: “The WPE was the most unique and creative fundraiser the Murray Parish Trust has had the privilege of being part of.”

“Thanks to an incredible £10,000 donation from an anonymous guest, this meant our charity actualised a massive £40,000 due to match funding from government and the Barker Mill foundation, money desperately needed for a new paediatric Emergency Department for the South of England.”

Mark Hilder, Friends of PICU secretary, said: “Friends of PICU are absolutely thrilled to have been part of the Winchester Portrait Exhibition and to receive this donation from the results of its success.

“Featuring in this unique exhibition, and raising awareness of our charity and the children’s intensive care unit, is just wonderful and very kind of Nadine Collinson and Michael Butters to include us.

“The money received has been used towards the new children’s retrieval ambulance.

“The £148,000 vehicle, including new additional medical equipment, will cover 35,000 miles per year collecting emergency patients from 27 hospitals across the South of England and the Isle of Wight.

“This retrieval facility is key to the PICU and the treatment of the children and operates 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.”