A children’s room at a hospice for the terminally ill has been brightened up for young patients, thanks to the talents of a mural artist. Emma Donabie painted a Winnie The Pooh tea party wall design for children at St Luke’s Kenton Grange Hospice so they could look for their favourite characters while staying at the centre in Kenton Grange, Kenton. Her uncle David Donabie died from pancreatic cancer at the hospice in 2001. A trained actor, he received an MBE shortly before his death for services to the ex-pat community in Saudi Arabia, where he set up his own theatre company, which staged productions for Brits living in the Middle Eastern country.

Miss Donabie, 31, who is originally from South Kenton and now lives in Watford, said: ‘He was a very flamboyant person and always had a great story to tell. He was a lovely person who is sadly missed.’ In memory of her uncle, and to thank the staff for their care towards the end of his life, she offered her services as an artist free of charge. She said: ‘The staff are just so fantastic there, not just the way they look after the patients, but the way they look after the families too.

‘It makes a huge difference to be in that environment when you know you are going to lose somebody and people are incredibly kind to you.’ Her thank you gift fills a 14ft by 7ft wall in the children’s room and includes as many characters from the AA Milne books as she could fit into the space. Miss Donabie, who has a degree in Technical Theatre Arts, but is now a full time mural designer, said: ‘There is a tree on either side with a tea party happening in the middle. I was very pleased with the finished product and hope it will bring a bit of fun to the room which people will enjoy.’