Help The Hungry: Message of unity from legendary artist Sir Peter Blake lights up Trafalgar Square

Sales of prints of the artwork have already raised £100,000 for our appeal

Sir Peter Blake’s artwork projected on to the National Gallery (Lucy Young)

The nation enjoyed a boost over the bank holiday weekend when an image specially created by Sir Peter Blake for our Help The Hungry appeal was projected in Trafalgar Square.

The rainbow picture with its slogan “London Stands Together” was beamed onto the front of the National Gallery as the government confirmed the lockdown would be extended.

Sales of prints of the poster have already raised £100,000 for our appeal partner The Felix Project and will help pay for meals to be delivered to vulnerable people across the capital.

Zara Mendison, who saw the projection while taking her daily exercise with her two young children, called it “absolutely stunning”. She said: “It is so beautiful. It is unity in art and we need that at this time.”

Cyclist Andy Chan, from Lewisham, thanked The Independent for organising the projection. “Everyone needs to know there is a community and that everyone is standing together,” he said. “We will only get through this by standing together, as the message says.”

The display was supported by the mayor of London and approved by the National Gallery.

Justine Simons, London’s deputy mayor for culture, said: “We are so pleased to support the projection. It captures the defining message of this time – that Londoners stand together. It is a powerful expression of thanks to all the Londoners who have helped distribute food as part of the Help The Hungry appeal.”

The director of the National Gallery Gabriele Finaldi said the image was particularly appropriate because Sir Peter was a former associate artist at the institution.

While it is closed, the gallery has been distributing images of its artwork via social media and providing free online talks by its experts.

“We were delighted to help support The Independent’s Help The Hungry appeal,” Mr Finaldi said. “Thousands of Londoners have been helping to distribute the food and so we were honoured to get involved and help recognise their contribution.”

The projection was displayed after British YouTube star KSI had joined The Independent at the Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert’s Centre in Earl’s Court to help distribute food.

The rapper, who is releasing his debut album Dissimulation at the end of this month, handed out meals to homeless people on the bank holiday with The Independent’s proprietor Evgeny Lebedev.

The Independent launched its Help The Hungry appeal to deliver food to frontline charities, vulnerable people and NHS staff in the capital on 27 March.

It has committed to raising £10m to protect people’s food security for three years after the coronavirus crisis.

The Independent is encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry during the crisis – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.