A budding artist who is using her skills to create badges for a hospital charity has said the project is helping her through lockdown.

Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, from West End in Costessey, is making the individually wrapped pieces from a £63 badge maker she bought with her Christmas money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals (NNUH) Charity.

Eastern Daily Press: Teenager Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, from Costessey, making badges for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity,Teenager Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, from Costessey, making badges for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity, (Image: Kim Rimmer)

They are on sale in the Hart Stores and Costessey Post Office on West End.

The Ormiston Victory Academy student has created three designs with two featuring the NHS logo, one showcasing a rainbow and another including the phrase I'm a key worker.

Eastern Daily Press: The completed badges made by Costessey teenager Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, who is making the pieces to be sold to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity.The completed badges made by Costessey teenager Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, who is making the pieces to be sold to raise money for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity. (Image: Kim Rimmer)

Miss McKenzie said: "The idea popped into my head. I think it is important to raise money for the hospital. Doing the badges has helped me with lockdown boredom. I love art."

She intends to make 1,000 badges and has so far made 100, raising £70 in the process.

The badges are made in three stages and the hardest part is preparing the designs so all parts fit, according to the teenager.

Eastern Daily Press: Bethany-Kate McKenzie 14, from Costessey, preparing the badge designs.Bethany-Kate McKenzie 14, from Costessey, preparing the badge designs. (Image: Kim Rimmer)

Her mother, Kim Rimmer, 33, said: "Bethany-Kate has wanted to do something for charity for a long time. The badge maker is the most expensive thing she has bought herself..

"I'm really proud of her. This is something she has thought of on her own. I think it is going to do her a lot of good. She is a lot more grown up than I realised."

Eastern Daily Press: One of the badges made by Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, from Costessey, during the production process.One of the badges made by Bethany-Kate McKenzie, 14, from Costessey, during the production process. (Image: Kim Rimmer)

People can donate however much they want for a badge and the teenager wants to create a Pokemon-inspired design for children.

Eastern Daily Press: NNUH chief nurse professor, Nancy Fontaine.NNUH chief nurse professor, Nancy Fontaine. (Image: NNUH)

NNUH chief nurse professor, Nancy Fontaine, said: “What a star Bethany-Kate is. I will definitely buy one of her badges and wear it with pride. I’d like to say a huge thank you to her and the efforts she is making to show her support for the NHS and NNUH. These are extremely difficult times for the whole of the NHS and gestures like this really help our doctors, nurses, health care assistants and all our support staff see how highly they are valued."

Eastern Daily Press: The collection box for Bethany-Kate McKenzie's badges.The collection box for Bethany-Kate McKenzie's badges. (Image: Kim Rimmer)

Louise Cook, head of fundraising at the NNUH, said: “We appreciate all help and support and love Bethany-Kate's ingenuity."

To support the charity email fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk