Rainbow jewellery sparkles in memory of a special uncle
A Paisley woman is hoping to raise money for the NHS in memory of her uncle by designing a rainbowinspired range of jewellery.
Lesley Elder runs the wellknown John McKay Jewellers in Moss Street in Paisley.
She sadly lost her beloved uncle Norman Williamson, 83, right, to the disease and was keen to come up with a way to honour his memory and raise money.
With a flash of inspiration she came up with the design of a rainbow, which has become a symbol of hope during the pandemic, surrounded by angel wings.
And as soon as she put it on the jeweller’s website, she was inundated with orders.
She said: “I was very close to my uncle. There are six members of staff at the shop and most of us have lost someone to this disease.
“I hadn’t given any money to charity yet because I knew I wanted to do something to help. I designed the pendant which was initially just going to be for my family but then I had this thought that I could sell it and give all the proceeds to NHS Charities Together.
“I put it online and within 15 minutes my email inbox was pinging with enquiries.”
Lesley said the fundraising is close to her and her colleagues’ hearts as they’ve all lost someone as a result of the pandemic.
She said: “Every one of our staff members, apart from one, has had a loss. We’re like a wee family so if one of us has a loss, we all feel it.”
From the initial design, Lesley has now got a full range of pendants, bangles, rings and earrings with a variety of designs featuring the angel wings, rainbows or both. It’s available in a variety of precious metals.
She’s tried to keep the price affordable so that sales are high and raise as much money as possible for the NHS.
Lesley added: “It ’ s only been a few days but I’ve raised more than £400 so far.
“I’m absolutely buzzing about it. “I got so excited when I did the design and it’s had such lovely feedback.
“I’m using my skills to do something to help.
“I’ve had a lot of messages from nurses who want to wear it but it’s too big to wear on the wards so I adapted the design.
“The amount of messages I’ve had from people thanking me for this has been lovely.”
John McKay Jewellers has been in the town since 1946. To view the jewellery range, go to www. johnmckayjewellers.co.uk or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ johnmckayjewellers/
There are six members of staff at the shop and most of us have lost someone to this disease