Fife artist inspired by Captain Tom Moore

The fundraising efforts of an army veteran have inspired a young Fife artist.

Ninety-nine year old Captain Tom Moore has raised £28m for the NHS by completing 100 lengths of his 25 metre long back garden ahead of his 100th birthday.

He’s become a well known face in recent weeks appearing across the news and social media as he smashed his original fundraising target.

An online petition has also been launched asking for him to receive a knighthood for his efforts.

And now, Glenrothes artist Megan Bett has used him as the subject for her latest painting.

The 20-year-old said: “I was massively impressed seeing stuff on social media and on the news about what he was up to.

“As an artist I wanted to create something current and I was so impressed by what he managed to do I wanted to paint something in honour of him.

“My style of art is quite colourful so I wanted it to be something uplifting.

“I was inspired by his personal story. Young people now often forget the older generations have a story and it’s really interesting to hear about the things he’s done in his life. He’s helped his country out once and now he’s doing it again.”

Megan, who began concentrating on her art full time eight months ago, said she hopes Captain Moore will be able to see the painting which she has done.

She said: “I definitely want him to see it. I’m trying to get a print to him for his 100th birthday.

“I’ve done a lot of paintings for charity, including mental health awareness and Love Oliver.

“Each I do a painting for the poppy appeal, sell prints and donate the money to the charity.

“So I think I’m going to auction the original and I’ll donate the money to Captain Moore’s fundraiser.

“Altogether I probably spent around 15 to 17 hours on the painting.

“It was quite a big piece and I’ve not done a lot of portrait art, it’s something new to me, so I wanted to spend a bit longer on it.”

Megan says she’s been interested in art from a young age, but it was only fairly recently she began running a business with it full time.

The former Auchmuty High pupil said: “It was originally just a hobby as I’ve always been interested in art.

“I get my artistic talent from my mum as she was always arty.

“I knew I always wanted to have art somewhere in my life, I’m a crafty person and it’s my passion.”

Megan’s work can be found at www.meganbettartwork.com