A PHOTOGRAPHER is hoping her postcards can raise money for victims of domestic abuse and bring joy to locked-down loved ones.

Brighton artist Beth Steddon has produced boxed sets of photographic postcards and hopes people will send them to friends and family they cannot visit under the Covid-19 restrictions.

A third of the profits will go to Rise UK, a Brighton charity which helps people affected by domestic abuse, which has soared as people are having to stay home amid the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the National Domestic Abuse helpline said it had experienced a 25 per cent increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown began.

Beth said: “What is already a terrifying situation for domestic abuse sufferers is being heightened in the current Covid-19 outbreak in enforced household isolation.

“Many countries are already reporting dramatic rises in the numbers of cases since the global lockdowns began.”

Beth’s scheme is called Prints With Purpose.

She said: “It is a project that I have been thinking about for a while

now.

“The idea is to promote and raise money for a local charity by donating a percentage of profits from the sale of original artwork.

“It’s taken me a little while to get around to starting this, but with the recent outbreak of Covid-19, which has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of people all over the country, particularly creative freelancers like myself, it seemed like this would be a good time.

“With so many people currently in isolation, the first project is a set of 20 postcards, with the idea being that they can be sent to tell those you love you are thinking of them when you’re unable to see them in person.”

The prints range from dramatic landscapes, mountain vistas and seaside horizons to close-ups of orchids and palm foliage.

Beth said her business has been struggling amid the lockdown but the restrictions have also given her time to think about launching a project which has been on her mind for some time.

“With the current Covid-10 crisis and lockdown, my work has gone from very busy to zero within weeks,” she said.

“I wanted to use the time to try and do something positive so I have set up a project I have been wanting to get off the ground for a while.

“So far I have had great feedback, with local orders and also a few much further afield – from Singapore, Holland, France and America – which has been really lovely.”

Beth said the project is a way to support a local artist, buy original artwork and help Rise to support sufferers of domestic abuse at the same time.

Visit www.bethsteddon.com/printswithpurpose for more details.

Anyone who needs support can call the Rise helpline from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 01273 622828.

Outside these times, people can call the 24-hour National Domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000247.

At The Argus, we are championing the work of traders during the coronavirus pandemic as part of our #BackingSussexBusiness campaign.

We are always interested to hear how the community is coming together in this crisis.

If you know of a local business battling to do all it can in these tough times and/or offering support to the local community, please get in touch at laurie.churchman@theargus.co.uk and rose.lock@theargus.co.uk.