LOCAL artists have raised more than £1,000 a day with an online sale of their work in aid of the Orlando shooting victims.

Food blogger and writer Jack Monroe is behind the scheme which has seen artists donate their work which is being sold online to raise cash for the tragic victims' families.

The 28-year-old from Westcliff said: “I am a member of the LGBT society and the shooting was shocking to all of us.

“We have spent so many years trying to make the world a more tolerant place and as soon as we start to feel safe and comfortable, something like this happens. It sent shockwaves through the world.

“I wanted to do something to help but I am obviously thousands of miles away. It started as an accident, I was at home and I just thought something needed to be done and art is a way of spelling out a message.”

After posting about the fundraiser on her Facebook page, Jack was swamped with donations.

She said: “I was asking anyone if they wanted to donate an old piece of artwork and the response was overwhelming. People were donating old pieces and creating new ones too. I even posed for a naked photograph to sell online. All I asked is that the theme was around love, community and acceptance.

“I started the website with Heather Purdham, and now there are 25 of us involved including artist John Bulley and four-year-old Tommy who donated a piece of his own work."

The selection of items, including postcards, are on sale from £3 to £12 and are selling like hotcakes.

Jack added: “I had no grand plans, I would have been happy if I just sold ten postcards. I launched the website at 11pm on Tuesday night and when I woke up the next morning, I had 100 orders. It was incredible.

“It is really nice to see how people are getting involved. In these situations, quite often people want to help but they don’t know how."

Southend artist John Bulley said: “It’s absolutely an important cause. There’s so much of this nonsense going on. It’s very important and Jack’s a really good friend of mine so I would back her 100 per cent.

“It’s really kicking off. She’s got a massive following and this will go global.

“It’s a really important cause and we need to publicise it as much as possible."

All the profits will go to the survivors and families of those who lost their lives in the Orlando massacre. People need help with all kinds of costs, including accommodation, funeral costs and health bills.

To donate a piece of work, or buy one, visit http://www.heatherandjack.bigcartel.com/