Tom Galliano, SHO Borders General

Kate says: "Feeling pretty useless in terms of the practical help I could give during lockdown, I am so grateful for Tom Croft’s wonderful initiative which inspired me to paint our lovely and brave neighbour, Tom Galliano, who’s been on the front line at the Borders General Hospital. A mention too must go to his wife Kirsty, who has stoically held the fort at home with two year old Monty and baby Cordelia."

Tom says: "This wonderful portrait captures me near midnight during our hospital’s peak of Covid. Until I saw the completed painting, I had forgotten that I had spent weeks balancing an outward facade of calmness with an inner feeling of deep uncertainty; both uncertainty about what was truly best for my patients with this new disease, and uncertainty about the immediate future... how much longer were things going to continue to get worse? For me, Kate has captured these feelings beautifully and I’m very grateful to be reminded of this strange time which I hope not to face again in my professional life."