Artist Mackenzie Thorpe designs range of merchandise for autism charity

Middlesbrough-born Mackenzie is a proud patron of the North East Autism Society (NEAS), which is based on the Drum Industrial Estate, and has used his talents to produce a beautiful collection of gifts ahead of Christmas.

The merchandise was unveiled during a Christmas Fair at the charity’s New Warlands Farm training centre, near Burnhope, in County Durham.

Launching the merchandise, Mackenzie said: “It’s so exciting for me to help this wonderful charity that is changing lives every day.”

In September 2020, NEAS opened a new school – named The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre in the celebrated artist’s honour – at South Bank, Middlesbrough. Due to the pandemic, the official opening ceremony was delayed until April this year when Mackenzie presented the charity with a stunning original painting, called Welcome To My World, and a copy hangs in the school’s foyer.

“I feel honoured to have my name associated with the truth, honesty, compassion and care that surrounds the North East Autism Society – it is something that keeps me going,” he told a large audience, made up of service-users, staff and families.

Mackenzie previously donated an original painting – Picked With Love – as well as an older piece, called Love Picker, to be used for the benefit of the charity. The artworks, depicting children picking heart-shaped apples, have already been used as the labels on bottles of apple juice and cider, produced by service-users at New Warlands Farm.

Now, those images are also featured on the new range of bespoke merchandise, which includes t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, pin badges, keyrings, pens, greeting cards, and wrapping paper.

NEAS chief executive John Phillipson said: “Mackenzie has been so incredibly generous with his time and his talent in producing merchandise that is truly exceptional. It’s no exaggeration to say that every single item is a work of art – and every penny raised will go towards the caring services we provide for autistic and neurodiverse people and their families across the North-East. We can’t thank Mackenzie enough for his kindness.”

The Christmas Fair raised £3,500 and Mackenzie – accompanied by his wife, Susan – was joined by fellow patrons, North-East television legend, Pam Royle, respected business leader Bob Cuffe, and journalist Peter Barron.

The Mackenzie Thorpe merchandise can be viewed at: www.ne-as.org.uk/shop