A HOST of well-known artists have created paintings for a fundraising tribute to a young father killed in a cycling accident in London.
John Bellany and Dame Elizabeth Blackadder are among those to contribute to the memorial exhibition for Ninian Fraser Donald.
Mr Donald, who grew-up in Stockbridge, was killed a year ago in Hackney, in north-east London, when his bike was in coll
ision with a lorry.
His Borders-based father George, a renowned artist himself, has come up with the idea for a tribute which would help preserve memories of his son, and also create financial support for his two-year-old daughter Rosie.
The Art4Rosie exhibition will run at the Open Eye Gallery on Abercromby Place until next Wednesday, described by his family as a "bitter-sweet" opportunity to pay tribute to him.
Participating artists were asked to produce an A4-size creation of their memories of Ninian and his life, with artists from as far away as France and Japan contributing.
Mr Donald, 64, who lives in Duns, said: "There were two reasons for doing this. One was practical because Rosie is in London with her mum and it can be difficult to sustain being a single mother, so any financial help this can provide for Rosie's future is welcome.
"The other reason is to help gather memories of Ninian for her so she can get an impression of what he was like.
"Because I'm an artist I've got to know a great many people over the years all over the world and many of them would have remembered Ninian as he was growing up. The response has been quite overwhelming."
In addition to the paintings that have been created just for this cause, a song has also been recorded.
Nashville duo Annie and Greg Sims have written a song especially for Rosie – who was only one when she lost her father – which has been sung by well-known US vocalist Mike Eldred.
Ninian, who was building a successful design business and had just struck a deal with Marks & Spencer to design its catalogues, died on a notorious stretch of road.
He had been looking forward to his first holiday with long-term partner, Kate Evenden.
Mr Donald added: "He left for London as a young lad as so many do and got involved in music and international travel.
"He was building his own business and had a young family. He had a great many friends who have also taken part in this. There is actually a campaign in London because a great deal of cyclists have been injured or killed by these trucks working towards the Olympics, and unfortunately my son lost his life."
Although much of the artwork has already been sold, when the exhibition closes next week the website – www.art4rosie.com – will continue to sell remaining work and the CD of the song, Little Ava Rose.
Weblinks:http://www.art4rosie.comhttp://www.openeyegallery.co.ukThe full article contains 506 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
