AN OXFORD artist is working with a brain injury charity to make and sell personalised Christmas cards to raise money.

Headway Oxfordshire is a brain injury rehab centre. The charity supports people with head trauma and their families across the county and is now getting into the Christmas spirit by making and selling Christmas cards.

The rehabilitation centre has classes and services for patients including art therapy. The classes encourage socialisation and peer support to help reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

Gary Bosher is an Oxfordshire artist and he has also been a teacher at Headway Oxfordshire for the past four years.

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Mr Boscher leads an art class for the patients at Headway as part of a therapy that runs alongside their formal rehabilitation.

The art class usually focuses on painting with watercolours and simple landscapes, however for the past two months the students of the art class have decided to paint Christmas cards to raise money for Headway Oxfordshire.

Mr Bosher said: “It was Headway’s idea to raise funds and the patients thought of painting something Christmassy.”

Everyone in the art class painted six to eight cards all of their own designs. It was then down to the staff at the rehab centre to pick their favourites to be printed and sold.

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The Christmas cards are painted and designed by the members of the Headway Oxfordshire class and illustrate classic Christmas scenes full of creativity.

The images are full of wintery and snowy pictures of snowmen, penguins, robins, Christmas dinners and of course Father Christmas and Rodolph.

Mr Bosher explained that although many of the patients enjoyed making the cards many also found it difficult.

He said: “Some have carers that help them to paint and many have brain injuries from bike accidents and strokes.

"Some find it extremely difficult but they find it relaxing. The staff say I’m popular, they say the patients enjoy it and they find it therapeutic.”

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He continued: “They have things they’re trying to overcome and then they’re learning to paint, some of them come on leaps and bounds. There is a fantastic enthusiasm and it’s very rewarding.”

Mr Bosher will be showcasing his art at Annie’s Tea Rooms for a month starting December 1 where the public will have a chance to buy the Headway Christmas cards as well as the artist's own work.

The exhibition will showcase the Christmas cards and Mr Bosher’s oil-on-canvas paintings and the money raised from the Christmas card sales will go to Headway Oxfordshire.

There will also be tea and cakes on offer as well as a chance to meet the artist and teacher at Headway.

Mr Bosher and his art can also be found at Gloucester Green market in the city centre as well as Annie’s Tea Rooms and the Christmas cards can be purchased from him, from Headway Oxfordshire’s website at headwayoxford.org.uk, or by calling up the charity on 01865 326263. The cards are on sale for £6 each or £10 for two packs.