Photo of Alexandra Bastedo on show at charity exhibition

The exhibition is raising awareness and funds for 28 charities and your very own local ABC Animal Sanctuary is a vital part.

Alexandra Bastedo worked for her charity through her illness and the photograph of her taken for The Pawtraits Exhibition was one of the last she did. But the haven for animals stays open and so the work to raise awareness goes on.

Alexandra said: “It would be wonderful if there was not a need to have animal sanctuaries. However all the time there is, we will be here for the animals for as long as they need us. Animals are not able to speak for themselves which is why the ABC Sanctuary will always speak up for them”.

The Exhibition launched with a party at the Café Royal on Monday June 2 and it went live on line at www.thepawtraitsexhibition.com

Go there now and see the countdown. It physically sets sail with Carnival UK and Maria Slough for the month of June.

Over the last 20 months, media photographer Maria Slough has travelled approximately 2440 road miles, 360 nautical miles and 10,000 air miles to photograph well known faces and members of the public all with an animal of their choice.

She said: “I love animals. For as long as I can recall I have shared an affinity with all creatures great and small.

“This love for animals was the inspiration behind The Pawtraits Exhibition. Telling a story within a photograph is what I strive to do in my work as a media photographer,” she added.

“This collection of photographs that I have been lucky enough to capture will I hope inspire people to inquire about the relationships shared by those who have been photographed, and enquire about the incredible work that goes on each and every day around the world, for the animals and by the animals, by the charities that the photographs are raising awareness for.”

A Coffee Table Book for sale on line with all the pawtraits photos in it is the money spinner with all profits going to the charities. The book is published locally so there are lots of local angles for you if you are interested.

Social media is Twitter @ThePawtraitsXbn and face book is www.facebook.com/thepawtraitsexhibition

You can contact Gill at [email protected] or via the web site abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk.

Report contributed by Gillian Harris.