A Peckham artist who captured the UK’s pandemic experience in a stunning graphic diary has pledged a second £5,000 donation to help feed people in need as sales soar.

Inspired by Marcus Rashford, Vic Lee donated £5,000 to FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste (https://fareshare.org.uk/) last year, when the first edition of his book, sold out in eight weeks.

Now he is halfway through sales on the second volume, a signed, limited edition, (http://www.coronadiary2020.com) and has said if they all sell again, he will double his donation.

Vic said: “Last year I did something spontaneous. I lost all my work, had no commissions and no help from the government. But I brought this book out and the response was emotional. It sold out in eight weeks.

“I wanted to show my gratitude by helping fellow humans to eat. And now I want to do it again. I am halfway through sales of the artist’s signed edition, the second volume. If I can sell them all again, I will donate another £5,000 to FareShare.”

Vic sketched the Corona Diary, recording events as they happened across the UK in 2020. It has been compared to the work of the great diarist Samuel Pepys and has won a flurry of awards.

Vic said his diary recorded events that may not have been high-profile in the mainstream media, but are now being talked about openly, amid Dominic Cummings’ recent damning revelations.

“There was definitely an importance in recording news stories that were slightly disconcerting. And many that were, at the time, not in the mainstream media are now, a year later, being talked about by the nation and in every newspaper,” he said.

“For me, it was shocking to research stories on actions that were disregarded at the time by our government that would have such a profound effect on the country and people’s lives still today. These diaries are in essence a record of who did what and who didn’t. And to ask, why didn’t they?

“It’s easy to say let’s forget and move on, but for many affected, this isn’t such a simple task. Those that made and still make the decisions should be held accountable for both the good and poor decisions made.”

Among hundreds of stories in the first book, Vic mentions Marcus Rashford’s work with FareShare and that inspired him to make his donation.

James Persad, Head of Marketing at FareShare, said: “We are extremely grateful to illustrator and author Vic Lee for his ongoing personal support to FareShare and for his very generous donation from the sales of his Corona Diary.

“FareShare’s work relies on continuing donations and the generosity of people like Vic, who, despite facing a loss of income and personal challenges, are still determined to support those facing a daily struggle to eat. From everyone at FareShare, thank you Vic.”

Other events captured in the diary include Sir Captain Tom Moore’s incredible fundraising feat, Eat Out to Help Out and Donald Trump’s election defeat.

Vic added: “The Corona Diary is an important book to a lot of people. It records a lot of what happened and also personal experiences and thoughts.

“I didn’t realise when I made the first book just how important it was. It’s something to cherish, keep and look back on.

“It records what has affected everyone. This is not a personal story as such, but overall, this is what happened to all of us and what we went through together globally.

“It is a book for everyone. It will not be forgotten, I’ve received messages that tell me the book has helped people have a better understanding of what happened, as they blanked out much of the year they missed, and to look back on and smile, laugh and cry.

“The diary isn’t just a book to buy, but a book to own and keep for generations to come. I have had new parents buy these books for their children born in 2020, to keep and have as a memento. And for the children that experienced 2020 to look back on.”

The Frances Lincoln-published first edition is available globally in most book stores and online. It sold just under 10,000 copies in its first two months of release.

The second signed and limited artist’s edition is available through www.coronadiary2020.com. It costs £50 plus postage and packaging.