ARTISTS across the south coast are working to raise funds to help YMCA Fairthorne Group support young carers through the current crisis and beyond.

A group of artists from the Isle of Wight, who kicked off the project, have been joined by artists from as far as Devon and Cornwall as the first to offer work to raise money in aid of YMCA.

The Artists for YMCA project aims to raise upwards of £50,000 to make a difference to the lives of young people taking on a caring role, with artists offering commissions and existing work in return for donations to the charity.

Trudie Augustus-Harris from YMCA Isle of Wight Young Carers said: “Projects such as Artists for YMCA can really make a difference to young carers’ lives.

"Every donation made in return for artwork will help us ensure young carers as young as five have access to support they need beyond this difficult period.”

Scottish-born artist Nick Martin, who now lives on the Isle of Wight, specialises in portraiture and teaches at Quay Arts. He is offering one of his intricate oil paintings with 50 per cent going to the charity.

You can donate at ymcafg.charitycheckout.co.uk/pf/artists-for-ymca-fg