Jigsaw to raise funds for our Coronavirus appeal

We are delighted that a jigsaw puzzle celebrating the work of NHS staff, key workers and charity volunteers during the pandemic will raise money for our Coronavirus Response Fund.

Wentworth Wooden Puzzles, based at Pinkney, near Malmesbury, have enlisted renowned artist Julia Rigby to design a brightly coloured townscape featuring bespoke whimsy pieces such as a set of clapping hands, a rainbow, musical instruments, and whimsy pieces saying ‘Thank You’.

The artist said: “I was very excited to be asked to create a design for this particular brief. I wanted to capture the community spirit that has sprung up among neighbourhoods during such a trying time and the sense of us all sharing this time in history and counting our blessings.”

The company will donate a minimum of £3,000 from the proceeds of the puzzle, which comes in 250, 500 and 1,000 piece versions.

Wentworth managing director Sarah Watson said the lockdown has seen a resurgence in puzzling and this new design was a way of saying thank you. At the height of the lockdown retailer John Lewis said puzzle sales were up 240 per cent and were higher than at Christmas, its usual peak.

“While we’ve been busy trying to keep our customers furnished with puzzles over these last few months, we wanted to make sure that we also do something to support the wonderful efforts of our health and key workers,” said Mrs Watson.

“Although we continue to give some of our puzzles to local charities, it never seems quite enough. So, we’ve teamed up with one of our most popular artists, Julia Rigby to create a special ‘Thank You’ puzzle and selected a charity close to our hearts to donate 35 per cent from the sale of each puzzle to."

Our interim co-chief executive Fiona Oliver commented: “We are delighted that Wentworth Wooden Puzzles is supporting our fund, which has so fair raised £1 million and has distributed almost £700,000 to more than 170 groups.

“The money is being used to provide relief to local people suffering as a result of the pandemic and to support local charities and community groups to deliver their vital services. Our sincere thanks to all those supporting this initiative.”