Sadie Berry-Robinson from the Princess Royal Hospital, has designed Rockinghorse’s 2019 Christmas card.
This year, Rockinghorse has a very special Christmas card which is now on sale!
‘Merry Christmas from Rockinghorse’ has been very kindly illustrated by Sadie-Berry Robinson, exclusively for our charity.
The card features a variety of iconic Sussex landmarks and is beautifully drawn for us by Sadie, who is a Senior Sister within the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Haywards Heath.
‘Merry Christmas from Sussex’ has been designed specially for Rockinghorse, by Sadie Berry-Robinson.
We spoke with Sadie, to find out more…
Tell us a bit more about your Christmas card design; what materials did you use? How long did it take you to create the illustration?
“The ‘Merry Christmas from Sussex’ design comprises of landmarks from across the county, starting from the West over in Chichester, all the way to Hastings in the East. The card includes places like Chailey and Brighton, where Rockinghorse supports great projects.
“I created the design using watercolour pencils. It took approximately 10 hours after quite a few drafts!”
Why were you inspired to illustrate the landmarks featured?
“I am a Sussex girl through and through. I grew up in Hastings and Bexhill, and now live in Lewes. I absolutely adore our county and everything it has to offer.
“Outside of my work as a nurse, my passion has always been the outdoors and art. My drawing was encouraged by my parents and a wonderful art teacher at school, called Ms Mills.”
How long have you been drawing and painting for?
“Before becoming a nurse, I was a fine art student specialising in illustration but chose to pursue an alternative career. However, I still have a real passion for it and paint for leisure, as well as for my friends and family.”
Have you been commissioned to create artwork before?
“A few years ago, I illustrated a Christmas card for close family friends. I’ve also illustrated a children’s book as a one-off for friends when they adopted their son. It is still my proudest work to date.”
Are there any artists that particularly inspire you?
“My favourite are the classic artists, such as Degas and Monet. Although there are some great local artists I like, such as Lyndsey Smith and Janice Thurston, who are both based in Lewes.”
Why did you feel inspired to support Rockinghorse?
“Although I qualified as a nurse in adult care, I focused my post-graduate education in the care of sick children in everyday settings. I love the variety of my job at PRH and the fast-paced nature of working within A&E.”
“I was really keen to support Rockinghorse as it is a wonderful charity that has supported me in several projects to improve care for local children.
“They have also provided support for many other fantastic children’s organisations and paediatric projects throughout Sussex. It’s an honour to be included in their Christmas card this year!”
Purchase a pack and make a difference
Our sincere thanks to Sadie for creating the beautiful ‘Merry Christmas from Sussex’ design. Each pack costs £4.50 for 10 cards with envelopes and reads ‘Seasons Greetings’ inside.
The seven Sussex landmarks featured on the card, are (from left to right): Chichester Cathedral, British Airways i360 on Brighton seafront, Brighton Pavilion, Chailey Windmill, Beachy Head Lighthouse, Hastings Castle, and the Fisherman’s Huts in Hastings.
By purchasing a pack of cards, you are helping to raise vital funds for sick and disadvantaged babies, children and young people in Sussex. To view the full range for 2019, please click here.
To place an order, please call the Rockinghorse office on 01273 330044, or email sarah@rockinghorse.org.uk.
About Rockinghorse
We have been supporting sick children and babies in Sussex since 1967. Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and vital supporter of both the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton and Special Care Baby Unit in Haywards Heath.
Our charity raises money for life-saving and cutting-edge medical equipment. We also work in partnership with other local hospitals, respite centres and specialist paediatric services.
Rockinghorse funds projects which focus on improving children’s emotional and physical well-being, while providing additional support for parents and carers. To find out more about our current projects, please click here.
