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Walking Dead artist hopeful for charity's future

BBC Charlie sat at his drawing desk in his office, he's sketching something and looking down at his work. There's natural light coming in through the window and behind him you can see more of his office, with dioramas and models of various sci-fi and fantasy scenes. BBC
Charlie Adlard is best known for his work on comic book turned TV series The Walking Dead

A comic book artist has said an arts charity he supports has been "really buoyed" after raising £70,000 to meet costs.

Charlie Adlard, who is best known for his work on The Walking Dead comic books, is also a trustee of Shrewsbury-based The Hive.

The organisation, which offers arts and wellbeing projects supporting children and young people, launched the Save The Hive campaign to meet rocketing energy bills and high demand for funding grants.

It surpassed its £50,000 fundraising target by £20,000, and now supporters were feeling hopeful for its future, Mr Adlard said.

Shrewsbury-born Mr Adlard has played his own part by selling a book of his artwork in aid of the charity.

It has been running for 20 years and also helps people break into the creative industries.

Save The Hive was launched last year to raise £50,000 to help pay the organisation's lighting and heating bills, as well as supporting future projects.

"I remember thinking, 'phew, that's a bit of an ask' - but they did it, in fact they went above and beyond and raised £20,000 above the [target]," Mr Adlard said.

"Everyone's been really buoyed by it now, and everyone's really raring to go."

The Hive sign; it's bright orange with white letters reading 'The Hive'. It's hung off the side of the building like a pub sign, with a lantern above it. The photo is shot looking upwards, so the sign is pictured against a bright blue sky with some cloud.
The charity has raised £70,000 to help it stay open to support young people

He explained his association with The Hive started "eight or nine years ago", when he and fellow artist Dan Berry began life drawing sessions at the charity.

"I suppose my fame got the better of me and [The Hive] got in touch and asked if I'd get a bit more involved, so I eventually became a patron," he said.

As part of the fundraising efforts, Mr Adlard released a book called Coffee Shop, a collection of sketches drawn in cafes around Shrewsbury.

"Sat in a coffee shop secretly drawing people - it's something I've always wanted to do," he said, adding that it was "the perfect opportunity [to release the book] when The Hive started up their campaign."

With all proceeds of the book going to the charity, three months later Mr Adlard has raised more than £5,000 for The Hive.

Charlie Adlard sat at his sketching desk, the photo is taken side on so he's pictured in profile. On his desk is a work in progress - one of the images is a wolf. Out of the window you can just about see the River Severn, with trees alongside it. The sky is white and it's recently snowed.
Mr Adlard has raised more than £5,000 for The Hive by selling books of sketches drawn in Shrewsbury

The artist added the charity's importance to the local community was "immense", adding that to lose The Hive would be "utterly unbelievable."

"It's one of those things you can't grasp instantly, you can't put your finger on - but the amount of people it helps is incredible."

Mr Adlard said The Hive's future was looking "a lot rosier" after reaching its fundraising target.

He said the money raised gave it the "bedrock to survive" as well as time to raise more money.

"Let's just hope they continue on with their great work, because they are a brilliant organisation."

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