WORLD-FAMOUS Artist Mackenzie Thorpe has agreed to produce a work of art to front a unique newspaper project aimed at commemorating the First World War and raising money for modern-day soldiers.

The work of the Middlesbrough-born artist, who established the Arthaus gallery in Richmond, North Yorkshire, is in demand all over the world.

And a painting, produced at the request of The Northern Echo, is to be used as the front cover of a special Remembrance Sunday edition, on November 9.

The special edition is part of the paper’s “£100,000 for 100 years” campaign, launched earlier this year, in support of the Phoenix House rehabilitation centre, established by Help For Heroes, at Catterick Garrison.

The Remembrance Sunday newspaper will feature photographs and names of North-East soldiers who died in the Great War, and a collection of historic front pages from The Northern Echo archives. It will be sold for £1 (100 pence for 100 years) and 10p for every copy will go to the Phoenix House appeal.

In addition, Mackenzie’s original painting will be auctioned, with all the proceeds going to the appeal.

The collaboration means copies of the Remembrance Sunday newspaper will be a limited edition work of art.

Mackenzie, who has worked under the theme Art From The Heart, said: “The Northern Echo’s plan to produce a Remembrance Sunday edition is a very special initiative and I am honoured to have been asked to produce a piece of work for the front page. I am thrilled that my work will be used to support Help For Heroes, a charity which is close to my heart.”

The Northern Echo:
Mackenzie Thorpe pictured with his exhibition at Teesside University

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: “From the moment we contacted Mackenzie, he has thrown himself behind this project. I have no doubt that the work he produces will make this edition of The Northern Echo one of the most memorable in the distinguished 144-year history of the paper.”

The work of art will be kept under wraps until a digital unveiling on The Northern Echo’s website – northernecho.co.uk – at 7pm on Saturday, November 8.