Pictured: Karen and some of her creations

She’s a real card

A Knowsley teacher has been putting her artistic talents to good use, not only in the classroom, but also to the benefit of local good causes.

Karen Traverse, from Blacklow Brow Primary in Huyton, makes and sells greetings cards in her spare time, donating all the proceeds to various cancer charities in the area. Her creative efforts have already raised over £400 for cancer charities, including Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust.

It’s a cause that is very close to Karen’s heart after being diagnosed with cancer herself three years ago. She says, “I had been a teacher at Blacklow for 11 years when I was diagnosed with cancer and had to take a year away from the school, it was a very difficult time. When I returned as a teaching assistant two years ago the whole school rallied round and since then I’ve been overwhelmed by the fundraising and generosity of all involved from Blacklow.”

Over the last two years the school has raised over £1,000 for Marie Curie’s Daffodil campaign, donated £300 to Breast Cancer Care and raised a further £1,000 for Cancer Research by staff taking part in the “Race for Life”.

Karen added, “I wanted to give something back to the organisations which have helped me, along with thousands of others, and by using the skills I’ve developed through my hobby of card making, I’m hopefully doing just that.”