Eleven-year-old Zac was moved to help raise money for relief efforts in Turkey and Syria

An eleven-year-old boy from Palmers Green has helped raise hundreds of pounds to support earthquake relief efforts in the Middle East after donating a painting to charity.

Zac Maw’s artistic depiction of the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in February was sold at auction by relief charity Turkey Mozaik Foundation – raising £900.

The Dame Alice Owen’s School pupil was encouraged to create the artwork after a chance meeting with someone who works for the charity. Dad Edward told the Dispatch: “My brother is an artist and was doing a show and I took Zac along and he got talking to someone from Turkey Mozaik Foundation. She suggested doing a picture for the charity to auction – the next thing we know he had done this picture and they auctioned it for £900!”

Edward explained that Zac had been moved by seeing the impact of the earthquake on television and knowing there was a large Turkish-speaking community in the local area that had been impacted by it.

In a presentation to his school, Zac said: “When a natural disaster strikes, the impact can be devastating for the people and communities affected. It is important to come together and support relief efforts any way we can.

“I chose to create a painting that reflected the strength and resilience of the people of Turkey.”

Edward added said: “We live near Great Cambridge Roundabout and there is a lovely community there with Turkish and Kurdish people from all walks of life. Zac’s mother is Yemeni and both of us have worked for charities working with refugees so we have always had those things in our lives.

“Zac likes to discover the world and he is quite artistic.”

Zac has developed his art skills at Art-K in Bowes Park, which runs classes for children.

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