A PHOTOGRAPHER from Tongham is raising money to support the Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity by taking ‘doorstep portraits’ of families in her neighbourhood.

Zoe Patman wanted to capture these unprecedented times by offering families the opportunity to create lasting lockdown memories, with a photo taken in front of their house.

The digital pictures are free, but Zoe asks for a donation via her online fundraising page in aid of the local NHS charity.

Her idea has raised more than £400 in less than a week for the hospital charity, and Zoe has already taken more than 30 portraits of people in the area, including key workers, families, couples and even some furry friends.

Zoe, who set up her company Little Bluebell Photography in 2017, said: “I was really missing my work and I wanted to come up with a way to record these strange times, while still using my skills and supporting our local NHS charity.

“I wanted to support the charity because we had our youngest daughter at Royal Surrey and many of my clients have had their babies there – and the staff are wonderful.”

Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity is currently supporting front-line NHS staff in the fight against coronavirus – not just at the hospital in Guildford, but also community hospitals in Cranleigh, Haslemere and Milford.

Sandy Lowry, events fundraising manager, said: “Thank you so much to Zoe for using this opportunity of community spirit to fundraise for Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity.”

If you live in Tongham and would like to book a doorstep portrait, message Zoe via facebook.com/PhotoggraphybyZoe