A local photographer is using her expertise to raise money for charity

Reporter Jonathan White

A local photographer is using her expertise to raise money for charity

During the coronavirus Covid-19 crisis families are in lockdown, with some parents finding their job has been paused while others are adapting to working from home. On top of that many mums and dads are having to tackle home schooling.

Before lockdown commenced, local photographer Steph Longley of SL Photography specialised in taking pictures of newborn babies, children and families, either in people’s homes or on location. However, Steph has now turned her daily exercise walk into an opportunity to raise money for charity. Steph is taking free photographs, of families outside their home in the CW2 postcode area, to raise money for Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity. Steph aims to bring a smile to faces and bring positivity to the local community by offering to take a family doorstep photograph to anyone in the local vicinity that would like one.

During the family doorstep photograph, Steph will remain respectful of the government’s safety guidelines at all times and will adhere to social distancing in its entirety. A zoom lens allows her to capture the family without her coming anywhere near. Steph will message participating families to let them know she has arrived, so she does not even have to knock on the door. Pictures will be posted to Facebook, and in due course uploaded to an online gallery for participants to access.

If you are interested and live in the Wistaston CW2 postcode area, please send Steph a message via her SL Photography Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/slphotography0 . Steph will then work out if your address is within a safe walking distance from her home and plan a walking route to include it.

Samantha and Will who, along with their baby William Arthur, had their family photo taken by Steph, said: “We were so pleased to take part in the doorstep photoshoot, as having a newborn baby boy we have been unable to have visitors and have been self-isolating. It enabled us to feel a bit of normality and it was lovely to be able to capture this moment, whilst our son is still so young. In the future we will be able to show and tell our baby what the world was going through when he was growing up. Steph was lovely and professional throughout and maintained more than the recommended social distancing measures, but was able to capture some beautiful photographs. She is also raising money for our local hospital as a thank you for all their great work during this difficult time.”

Steph Longley of SL Photography said: “I am really loving having the opportunity to capture these special uplifting moments for families, in the unusual and often frightening times we are living through. I was feeling so inspired by the amazing work that Victoria, of Fern and Star Photography was doing in Liverpool, that I contacted her and she gave me the push I needed to be brave and put it the idea out there locally! And the movement is growing still! Several photographers then contacted me wishing to get involved, both nationally and locally; whilst I am covering as much of CW2 as I can, Charlotte Talbot Photography is currently covering the CW1 postcode. The response to my lockdown doorstep shoots has been so positive and the digital images captured are my gift to you- I just ask in return that you please make a donation to Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity. All the staff do a wonderful job daily, but are doing a truly incomparable job in the face of Covid-19, and the frightening times we're all experiencing. There is so much fear and sadness in the world right now, but the closeness of families, and community strength is all around us, and that really is something that can't be broken! These images will be something to remember that we all tried to draw positives out of this awful pandemic, and something your children could show their children and even grandchildren, when they ask about Coronavirus.”

Carole Salmon, Community Fundraiser, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity said: “I was delighted to hear about this creative fundraiser to support our COVID appeal. It's a lovely way to support our NHS staff and engage with the local community. Big thanks to Steph for organising this and I look forward to seeing more of the fantastic photographs.”

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity is a registered charity that manages all money raised for, or donated to, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary, Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre, Winsford. The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community health services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal. MCH Charity supports patients, their relatives and friends, staff and local businesses and organisations to raise money for the charity. All the money we raise is spent to enhance and improve the care and experience that people receive when using Trust services. We purchase state-of-the-art equipment, additional comforts and fund enhanced training for staff.

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