RESIDENTS in Thornbury are being given the opportunity to claim a piece in a town jigsaw, and raise £1,000 for charity.

The 1,000-piece jigsaw, which features the artwork of Thornbury artist Richard Edwards, gives people the chance to preserve themselves in a piece of the town’s history by signing their piece and donating £1 towards the pot.

When finished, the money raised will be split between Thornbury-based charities Brain Tumour Support, and the aptly named Jigsaw, the latter being her mayor’s charity in her first year in office.

Meanwhile, the jigsaw itself will be framed to show the final image, with a picture of all the signatures being taken to recognise all the people that took part.

The idea for the jigsaw came from Thornbury’s mayor, Cllr Helen Harrison, who said she wanted to find a fundraiser that would support the charities, while helping to introduce the “Thornbury Welcomes” theme of her second year as mayor.

She said: “I was really keen to raise some money for Jigsaw and Brain Tumour Support that could really involve a cross-section of the people in Thornbury.

“Having 1,000 signatures will hopefully encapsulate the range of people in our town in a way that can be preserved and remembered.”

Around 400 have already taken part by signing their own jigsaw piece since the campaign was launched last Saturday.

Cllr Harrison added: “It is lovely to see how many have already taken hold of the idea and made a simple gesture to support some really worthy causes.”

Mr Edwards, who runs art and framing shop Surroundings in Thornbury, told the Gazette he “was more than happy to donate the picture”, an image he painted of the town featuring the pump on the Plain leading away to Castle Street.

“With local charities, it is about getting exposure,” he said. “And if you have 1,000 people from a community taking part in a simple fundraiser like this, it is a great first step.

“It a lot of people do even just a little then it have a great outcome, and if we can be a part in raising £1,000, it is a privilege.”

To donate to the campaign and sign a piece of the jigsaw, visit Surroundings in Thornbury.