A SUCCESSFUL local artist is helping to raise the profile of a Farnham charity.

Botanical artist Susie Lidstone has agreed to decorate a one-metre tall ceramic otter sponsored by the Farnham Hedgehogs, which helps local people in need.

There will be five Farnham Otters in total as part of the Otter Wey Trail and Susie’s will be unique because she will decorate it with paintings of flowers.

“I am delighted to help the Hedgehogs,” saids Susie, who is currently finishing a commission of hydrangeas for a client. “I can reveal that round his feet will be daisies and up his middle will be waterlilies. The charity wants to try and get otters back into the River Wey and each of these five otters will be auctioned off to help them do this.”

Susie is an elected and exhibiting member of The Society of Floral Painters and an elected member of The United Society of Artists. She has a Fine Art Printmaking degree and her own range of greetings cards and limited edition prints are widely available. Since her childhood she has admired the artist Elizabeth Blackadder and has had the pleasure of exhibiting alongside her. Susie is an elected member of The Society of Architectural Illustrators.

Established in 1959, The Hedgehogs is a charity working for the benefit of the community of Farnham and the surrounding areas. In the past 10 years it has raised over £500,000 for charity and work closely with other Farnham organisations involved in similar work.

Throughout the year it holds social events when members, friends and supporters can meet and raise money. The organisation’s running costs are paid for by members and friends so that all of the charity monies raised are used for good causes.

It is unique to Farnham and meets monthly with a membership of around 50. It is always looking for new members.