LEADING aviation artist David Bent has donated two stunning works of art – including his first autobiographical piece – to raise hundreds of pounds for disadvantaged people and trauma victims.

One of David’s works will be auctioned in memory of a brave Red Arrows pilot who lost his life following an air display crash.

Another will raise cash for a charity that offers “respite and escapism” to those who have become traumatised, either from accident or illness, by taking them flying.

David, 62, whose home studio is in Old Town, sells aircraft-themed paintings and prints all over the world.

Over the years he has based many works of art on the RAF’s internationally renowned Red Arrows aerobatic display team and was devastated when one of its pilots lost his life in the summer of 2011. Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33 – known as the Eggman – died a few weeks after his Hawk T1 jet plunged into a field at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Last year his wife Emma, aided by family and friends, set up the Jon Egging Trust to provide “inspiration, experience and work skills for disadvantaged young people.”

David and his wife Carole, who knew Jon, are keen to help and have donated a majestic piece of art called Timeless, depicting the Red Arrows flying past Big Ben. It is one of only two high-quality prints he has produced of the work, and was signed by Jon and fellow Red Arrows at the International Air Tattoo at Fairford a few weeks before the pilot’s tragic death.

David said: “I wanted to create a painting to represent the best of British, which is why I linked the world famous Red Arrows team with iconic Big Ben.” On Saturday Jon’s widow Emma will visit Swindon to collect the print which is expected to fetch several hundred pounds when it is auctioned at Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire on May 9.

David added: “The trust provides inspiration, experience and work skills for disadvantaged young people. Emma has said that having the opportunity to set up this trust and creating numerous opportunities for young people had helped her remain positive following the ordeal of losing Jon.”

A limited print of a new work, Dreamland – which would normally sell for £425 – is one of 50 aviation themed items that will raise thousands for another charity.

David said: “Dreamland is quite different to my other aviation pictures as it is my first aviation-related autobiographical painting.

“It shows Carole and I flying above Dreamland, a funfair in Margate where I had many earthbound teenage adventures.”

The painting has been donated to a week-long silent auction, which began yesterday and ends on May 1 in aid the Fly to Help charity.

The high-flying initiative takes people on flights during its “air smiles days” to promote “the emotional wellbeing of people living with life trauma by sharing the magic of being airborne, creating and capturing lasting memories and offering respite and escapism”.

Meanwhile, an exhibition of paintings by David called Fresh Air continues to run at the RAF Museum, London until May 8.

l Further details of the Jon Egging Trust can be found at: to joneggingtrust.com Fly to Help’s site is: www.fly2help.org David’s work can be found at http://www.bentartgallery.co.uk/gallery/art-of-flight/dreamland.html