A MUCH MARCLE artist has donated a painting to the Radiotherapy Unit at Hereford County Hospital, to say a big thank you for the care he received during his treatment for throat cancer.

Andrew Smith, from Much Marcle, underwent treatment for throat cancer last year and was so pleased with the care he received, he decided on an extra special gift.

The painting ‘the promise’ depicts Hereford Cathedral at sunset.

It was a local scene taken by Stephen Powell on his camera phone one evening whilst walking home through the city, and which was published as a photograph in the Hereford Times.

Mr Smith was so taken with the image, he enquired as to whether he could paint the scene from the photograph.

He said: “It was a delight to be able to paint this scene and give something back to the hospital where I have received wonderful care during the course of my recovery. I felt that the new unit was the ideal place for it”.

Carol Scott, Radiotherapy Service Manager from Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are always grateful when our patients express their thanks and Andrew’s painting is a wonderful example of this. We are delighted to display this painting in our Radiotherapy Unit and we are sure that the picture will be appreciated by the many patients and visitors to our unit this year.

Mr Smith will also be donating paintings of local scenes to Worcester and Cheltenham hospitals where he received his initial treatment.

Left to right: Kate Powell (with daughter Emilie), Stephen Powell, Andrew Smith, Ann Smith and Clare Livesey.