Liverpool FC-inspired Mackenzie Thorpe painting raises £25,000 at The Children’s Charity Ball

World-renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe’s iconic Shankly Gates painting helped raise £25,000 for the Variety charity at The Children’s Charity Ball at Thornton Hall on Saturday.

Producing 15 hand-embellished, limited edition prints of his Liverpool-FC inspired print, depicting a father and son, stood in front of the famous Shankly Gates at Anfield; the proceeds from the artist’s donation will now go towards the purchase of a Variety minibus for Hilbre School in West Kirby.

Raising an incredible £190,000 in total on the night; other auction prizes included Champions League final tickets, a private dinner with Jamie Carragher at Thornton Hall and a meet and greet package for four people at the Dancing on Ice final.

Every piece in the exclusive collection is unique, with the artist putting his own individual stamp on the pieces, adding a special personalised touch to this emotive image.

At last years event, Mackenzie’s You’re My World prints raised £28,000.

One of the biggest-selling British artists of the last 30 years, Mackenzie Thorpe’s work is rooted in authenticity, embodied in emotional expression and always carries a message of hope.

Mackenzie’s journey has taken him from the shipyards of Middlesbrough to internationally-acclaimed artist, and his working-class roots in the north of England inspire his atmospheric and poignant pictures.

Mackenzie Thorpe said: “The symbolism of the gates with those iconic ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ words above them, says everything there is to be said about this great city; it seems to me that the people of Liverpool never walk alone, the area is all about community, family, football and humour and I tried to capture a bit of these values, in the piece.

“It is such a worthy cause and a great example of a community going that extra mile and supporting its young people. I am so proud to be involved again.”