Hospital radio volunteer's on-trend photo edits boost Dr Gray's
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A YOUNG Moray woman has turned her novelty photo edits towards a serious purpose to help the local hospital.
Dr Gray's Hospital Wave Radio volunteer Sasha Richards (22), from North Street, Elgin, has been keeping herself occupied by creating the on-trend images while on furlough from her administration job at Johnston Carmichael.
People have "gone crazy" for Sasha's quirky photo edits of selfies, family portraits and pets, embellished with crowns, flowers and butterflies, after she created some recently for local beauticians who wanted to buy them as logos.
Her work has even caught the attention of online influencers such as fashion and lifestyle YouTuber Misha Grimes.
The demand for Sasha's creations suddenly grew so that, on Thursday, April 23, she decided to capture the interest as a booster for Dr Gray's Hospital. She had just joined the hospital's radio service in the weeks prior to lockdown and wanted to give back for the help she received during spells in the hospital last year.
Within days she has raised more than £300 selling the edits at a suggested donation of £5 each. She is aiming to raise £500.
Sasha has now set up a dedicated Facebook page – Digital Edits by Sasha B – with 100 per cent of money raised going to Dr Gray's via a GoFundMe link.
Sasha said: "As a hobby I like to create cartoon photo edits and edit people's photos for them to their request. I did a couple of cartoon ones and people went crazy for them.
"I don’t like to make money from this hobby so I decided I would start creating these edits to raise cash for the NHS, specifically Dr Gray's Hospital here in Elgin.
"I've had lots of interest, encouragement and requests from my friends and businesses. I am not a professional but I put a lot of time and effort into these wee works of art.
"A lot more people have got behind this than I ever expected.
"It's something to keep me busy just now as well as raise funds for something that needs funds. There's only so much gardening and TV one can take."
She added: "Dr Gray's has been such a massive help for myself and my family. I had a spell of illness recently and they were so good – I can't thank them enough."
See Sasha's work on Instagram or on Facebook here.
