ALEX Dodson has designed and manufactured wood burners and fire pits in the image of all kinds of evil characters from Freddy Krueger to Darth Vader.
But it is the hardworking and much loved Manchester Bee that has been immortalised in his latest work of welding and it has been created for a very worthy cause.
The 34-year-old former technology teacher, who runs his business Burned by Design from his Hoyland home, was approached by organisers of a charity event to help victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
Alex said: “It was Greater Manchester Police who asked me if I could come up with a design to be auctioned off at a special benefit ball and I just thought the bee would be perfect.
“It has taken a full week of non-stop work and is one of the largest pieces I have ever created, but I am happy with how it has turned out and hope it helps raise a lot of money.
“I do not have a massive business with a huge turnover, so it has cost me a lot of money to take so much time to make this.
“But it is such a good cause and I was honoured to say yes and I’m very very pleased with how it has worked out.”
The giant fire pit bee will be auctioned off on March 23 at the GM Bee Glitz and Glamour Ball designed to raise money for those affected by the tragic events at Manchester Arena last May.
Detectives from GMP major incident team attended Manchester Arena to respond to the bombing.
Due to the impact of the incident, the same team of detectives has organised the benefit ball to raise money to help the survivors and their families to continue with their daily lives.
