Give a gift today and spread the magic of making art this Christmas.
Giving children a sense of confidence, belonging and friendship.
The Magic of Making Appeal
As part of ‘The Magic of Making Appeal’ talented young artists who attended a Helium workshop, led by well-known Irish artist and fashion designer Helen Steele, created stunning pieces of art – and now, for the first time, they get to share them with the world!
These unique digital prints are available exclusively as part of our Christmas appeal to help raise funds to spread the Helium magic further.
Whether you’d like a beautiful print for your wall or a colourful screensaver for your phone or computer, you can choose from A4, A3 and screensaver formats.
Perfect as a thoughtful Christmas gift or a burst of colour for your home or office, these prints are truly something special – made with creativity and heart that you won’t find anywhere else.
“Art and creativity have always meant so much to me, and I’m delighted to see how much of an impact it has on the children who attend Helium workshops in hospital, in the community or online."
Helen Steele, Artist & Fashion Designer.
Light Through the Dark
Faye Culhane, age 13, Listowel, Co Kerry
Faye is an active, sociable 13-year-old from Listowel who loves hanging out with friends and listening to music. Faye was born with spina bifida and is a keen wheelchair basketball player.
Light Through the Dark grew out of a workshop with artist Helen Steele, where Faye found the creative energy and calm that inspired her to draw. For Faye, Helium is “a space where I don’t feel judged,” somewhere she feels included, inspired and happy.
Christmas holds a special place for her, especially with family and friends gathered round, the decorations and shop window displays, and the moment her Dad brings home the real Christmas tree and its smell fills the house.
€25
Faye Culhane,
Light Through the Dark, 2026, acrylic painting on canvas,
Helium Magic of Making Appeal.
Celestial Resonance
Franchesca Byrne O’Malley, Dundalk, Co Louth
Franchesca is a creative 23-year-old from Dundalk who, when she’s not making art, loves journalling, crochet, knitting and practising massage. She has been living with epilepsy since she was 13, and this year marks a decade, one she says has given her a strength that “feels indescribable.”
Celestial Resonance was created at “Let Them Make Art,” a Helium event Franchesca helped facilitate as a member of Helium’s Youth Advisory Group Alumni. A huge fan of artist Helen Steele, she was delighted to take part in her workshop, and this painting’s style is inspired by her work.
For Franchesca, Helium feels a lot like Christmas – perfect chaos. Everyone there has a different medical history, but those histories don’t define them, and they feel safe enough to relax together and create wonderful memories and artworks.
Christmas magic, to her, is time with family, with everyone putting up decorations and rushing to get the pudding and food done. As she puts it: “Happy Christmas, enjoy my piece of perfect chaos.”
€25
Franchesca Byrne,
Celestial Resonance, 2026, acrylic painting on canvas,
Helium Magic of Making Appeal.
Untitled
Franciszek, age 17, Co. Cork
Franciszek is a 17-year-old Polish-Irish artist with a passion for creativity, self-expression and the natural world. Art has been part of his life from a young age, and he especially loves sketching landscapes, finding inspiration in nature and the small details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Walks with his dog are among his favourite ways to unwind, and the peace of the outdoors often finds its way into his work.
Franciszek lives with type one diabetes. He’s done a great job of learning to manage it – following his eating schedule, tracking his blood sugar and taking insulin – but it was hard sometimes, not to feel a little alone with it.
Franciszek has been part of Helium for over three years. He values having a supportive space where creativity and individuality are encouraged, and it has helped him keep exploring his art and developing his skills as he grows as an artist and musician.
€25
Franciszek Stasiak,
Untitled, 2026, acrylic painting on canvas,
Helium Magic of Making Appeal.
Sunrise
Henrietta, age 16, Co Galway
Henrietta is 16-years-old and from Galway, she lives with a rare genetic condition. She has a big love for animals and has been fostering a kitten for a cat rescue charity. At home, she loves spending time with her cat Madison, playing with her dolls house and stickers, and blowing bubbles.
Her artwork, Sunrise, shows the night being pushed away as the sun comes up, with the darker parts giving way to light. She made it by swirling colours together, and had great fun doing it.
At Helium, Henrietta loves making art and seeing her friends. As she puts it simply: art makes her happy.
Christmas magic, for her, is everything being decorated and Christmas lights glowing in all the windows at night. She loves visiting the Christmas market, Santa coming, and having a cosy time.
€25
Henrietta Longstaff,
Sunrise, 2026, acrylic painting on canvas,
Helium Magic of Making Appeal.
Sunset
Katelyn, age 17, Dublin
Katelyn is a 17-year-old from Dublin who loves horse riding, baking and chatting with her grandad on the iPad. She lives with alternating hemiplegia (AHC), a rare neurological condition that affects around one in a million children, as well as epilepsy.
Sunset was inspired by artist Helen Steele, whose colours Katelyn loves so much that she even has some of her clothes. At the workshop, she had great fun experimenting with all the different tools.
Helium makes her feel happy, and she loves chatting with others and being creative together. In her own words, art makes her happy.
Christmas magic, for Katelyn, is putting up the decorations, eating lots of lovely Christmas food and opening presents with her family.
€25
Katelyn O’Brien,
Sunset, 2026, acrylic painting on canvas,
Helium Magic of Making Appeal.
Untitled
Saoirse, age 17, Co Cavan
Saoirse is a 17-year-old from Co Cavan who loves acting, listening to music and reading, which she says is perfect for the winter months. She lives with hydrocephalus.
She was lucky enough to work with artist Helen Steele while creating this piece.
Helium is a huge part of Saoirse’s life and she is a member of the Youth Advisory Group Alumni. It has helped her become the person she is today, building her confidence and introducing her to so many amazing people.
Christmas is extra magical for Saoirse, because her birthday falls on Christmas Eve. She loves making special gifts for people and spending time with the people she loves.
€25
