The CrossLine Building at 5 Heavitree Road in Exeter has been the home for counselling services for many years. It also houses the Exeter Soup Kitchen. The city-facing facade of the building has fallen into disrepair and we aim to resurface the wall and beautify it with an iconic mural. The building is in the perfect spot for maximum visibility from the new St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre, Exeter Bus Station and roundabout providing ongoing encouragement to passers by.

The idea to create a mural for the building came from Sue Burbage who worked in the building. Veteran artist, Paul Colsell offered to implement the project and came up with the brainwave of using a Charlie Mackesy illustration focusing on Kindness. He then negotiated with the Exeter City Council to obtain approval for the project. Paul also received permission from the well known artist and author, to use one of his best-loved illustrations. The mural will take the form of a quote from the best-selling book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “‘Kind’ said the boy.” See artist’s impression of the mural below

Paul’s idea was to raise funds for the mural which could overflow into support for the good causes operating within the building. Gwenllian Riall of White Linen Photography who is the project’s photographer suggested Paul invite Al Gibson of Countdown Creative Ltd to oversee PR and fundraising for the campaign and he has subsequently set up the website and social platforms for the project. As Al is also a trustee of Kondanani UK, he presented the project to the Board of Trustees of the Exeter-based organisation and the four directors unanimously concurred that it fitted with the charity’s governing document. It was then agreed that Kondanani UK would take the Exeter Kindness mural on as a project, providing oversight, financial accountability and facilitating GiftAid.

The proceeds of the Exeter Mural Project will therefore be used to upgrade the Crossline wall, and be shared between the charities operating in the building and Kondanani UK. This means that in addition to supporting local people, Kondanani Children’s Village in Malawi will also benefit. Malawi is Africa’s poorest country and KCV provides a caring home for many orphans as well as a Paediatric Hospital. to reduce the high mortality rate amongst 1-5 year-olds. Tim Davies of Style Accounts, in Exmouth, which specialises in charity accounting, will oversee the finances of the Exeter Kindness Mural as part of his role as at trustee of Kondanani UK.