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Artist’s work is wheely good for Kirsty

Sue Carr
28/ 5/2008

LIKE any teenager, Kirsty Bailey likes to keep up with the latest trends.

Now, thanks to a Glossop artist, she’s started one of her own.

The 17-year-old, who has a degenerative disease, is the envy of all her friends after having her walking frame customised by local artist John Kimpton.

Once a dull grey, the frame has been given an eye-catching makeover featuring all her favourite colours and words.

Lease

Foster carer Joy Grahamslaw said the frame had given Kirsty a new lease of life.

"The frame is a really big help, but the one she had before was really old-fashioned and didn’t look right," said Joy.

"We think this is brilliant. She loves flowers and colours — pink is her favourite — and they’re all over it now so she’s really happy."

John, who helped set up the People’s Gallery in Stalybridge, spent a week working on the frame after deciding on a design with Kirsty who studies art at Dovestones, part of Tameside College.

He was contacted by her tutors after he appeared in the Advertiser for customising a walking stick for another teenager.

John said: "We sat down and made a list of all Kirsty’s favourite colours and words, all the words that meant something to her like love and happiness and the names of her family.

"It’s all about being positive and feeling good.

"It’s a bit wacky but it’s got a bit more street cred!"