Mark van Wingerden, an artist from Dorset, has been joined by stars including Ant & Dec, Martin Clunes and footballer Marcus Rashford in providing canvasses to be auctioned in support of the Macmillan unit based in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital.

Canvas for the Mac is an online charity canvas auction for a Christchurch hospice. Up for auction will be a collection of uniquely designed doodles, sketches and lyrics by well-known names from the worlds of TV, sport, art and music. The artwork will be auctioned off on eBay.

Dorset resident Harry Redknapp, Brian May from Queen, comedian Michael MacIntyre and musical stars The Vamps have also contributed to the fundraising efforts.

Finds raised from the auction will go to the Macmillan Unit, which provides palliative care and support for over 1600 people and their families every year.

Mark van Wingerden, from Friar’s Cliff near Christchurch said he was inspired to support the event after a close friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

He said: “I’ve always been aware of the great work of the Mac Unit. But recently a close friend was given some terrible news and this has made a huge impact on the way I think about life, its fragility and the importance of living life and helping others.

“The opportunity to support the unit through my work is a privilege and I hope more artists will come forward and donate artwork to support Canvas for the Mac too.”

Mark has gifted two paintings: Cruise Race and Sail – both painted in 2018 on recycled yacht sails.

He said: “One day in Lymington I spotted some old sails in a skip by the marina. I asked if I could have them and I have been painting on them ever since. They’re extremely hardwearing as you’d expect and obviously very fitting as a canvas for seascapes. I hope they will attract some good winning bids for the event.”

All of the signatures, doodles or drawings contributed to the auction are turned into a colourful and eye-catching canvas by a professional artist and are accompanied by a photograph of the celebrity who created them.

Capital appeal director of Macmillan Caring Locally, Lin Sharp, said: “We are extremely excited about this event, which we will hope will raise a significant amount of money for our Brick by Brick appeal, to replace the existing, outdated Mac Unit with a brand new hospice to meet the future needs of the community.

“Our huge thanks go to Mark and all the artists and celebrities who have donated canvases so far. We will be building excitement by publicising new celebrity contributors in the run-up to the auction and hope people will enjoy the chance to bid for their own piece of one-off celebrity artwork.”

Canvases will be on show at the Captain’s Club & Spa in Christchurch in May 2022, with the online auction taking place at the end of May 2022 for 10 days.