Commission thanks mouth artist for fundraising efforts

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has thanked mouth artist Keith Jansz after proceeds from one of his paintings raised £640 for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

Mr Jansz was welcomed to the CWGC’s head office to meet some of the staff, learn more about the Commission’s work and find out how the money he fundraised can help raise awareness through the Commission’s charity arm, CWGF.

The artist uses his mouth to paint after a car accident more than 20 years ago left him paralysed from the shoulder down.

The raffled painting (pictured below) was created in Mr Jansz’s local churchyard in Finmere, Oxfordshire. Through the process he discovered the church, St Michael and All Angels, is in possession of an original Commission wooden grave marker.

On his visit to the CWGC this week chief archivist Andrew Fetherston was able to show Mr Jansz and his wife Cindy another original grave marker from the Commission’s archive as well as some watercolours painted by early Commission staff.

Mr Jansz said: “It was wonderful to meet some of the CWGC team and speak to them about their history and continuing work today. I was particularly inspired to be able to come face to face with some of the fascinating archive objects in their care and was delighted to present the money to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.”

Julian Evans, Director of International and Community Engagement, said: “It was an honour to welcome Keith and his wife Cindy to our head office to thank them for the fundraising and show them our continuing work to remember the fallen.

“Every generous donation to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation helps us to keep alive the stories of the 1.7 million Commonwealth men and women who died during the World Wars.”