Parents of Ukraine aid worker to receive portrait

An artist who has painted a portrait of a Cornish man who was killed while carrying out aid work in Ukraine is set to present her work to his parents.

Chris Parry, 28, from Truro, died alongside fellow volunteer Andrew Bagshaw in January 2023 as they tried to help evacuate a woman from an area of heavy bombardment in eastern Ukraine. Parry's story was told in the award-winning BBC documentary Hell Jumper.

Louise Pasterfield, an artist based in Saltash, has painted nearly 300 portraits of people affected by the war since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Her exhibition, Colour and Courage, being held at St Stephen's Church in Saltash, is free to enter and will run between 28 - 31 May.

"These portraits are my way of bearing witness," Pasterfield said.

"Every person I paint has a name and a story, and I want those stories to be seen and remembered. Chris Parry was one of ours, and his courage deserves to be honoured here in Cornwall.

"Painting his portrait, from a photograph his parents trusted me with, felt like the greatest honour I could offer."

The opening evening takes place on 28 May at 19:00 BST, when Parry's parents of will be presented with the portrait.

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