High Peak sculptor offering free virtual hugs to ease COVID-19 isolation with online campaign

Using the hashtag #ahugadayinmay, Paul Smith is posting on his website, Facebook page and Instagram account, a photo of one of his sculptures every day during May.

He said: “Since lockdown several people have told me that they need a hug right now.

“This prompted me to think about all the hugging sculptures I have made over the years.”

He added: “I thought that I must have at least 31 photographs of sculptures that I could use over the month. It turns out that I have many more than that.

“I hope they bring some cheer to people missing out on real hugs.”

Within just few days of starting the initiative, Paul has seen a huge positive response with likes and comments flooding his social media pages, and fans sharing the images with loved ones.

The photos capture his dream-like ceramics inspired by stories of our relationship with the animal world – an upturned fairytale land where Goldilocks has made peace with the bears and Red Riding Hood embraces the wolf.

Many of the sculptures featured in the campaign are still for sale, and 10 per cent of any purchase will be donated to the charity campaign Feed NHS, which is delivering meals to hospital staff all over the country.

To see Paul’s virtual hugs, go to https://bit.ly/2ypTiPg or find Paul Smith Sculptures on Facebook or Instagram.

To learn more about Feed NHS and how to support it, see feednhs.com.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor