ARTIST Sam Scarr is doing her bit for conservation highlighting the plight of the Bornean orangutan.

On Saturday (December 15) Sam stages an exhibition of paintings that put the critically endangered ape in the spotlight.

On show in the Bindloss Room at Kendal Town Hall on Saturday (December 15), from 9am-1pm, Sam says through her exhibition she aims to raise awareness about palm oil and the effect that it has on the orangutans and the indigenous people who live in the rainforest: "It has been said that 'if we can save the orangutan we can save the world.' And I strongly believe this," explains Sam. "The Bornean Orangutan population has decreased by half since 1999 with more than 100,000 lost in the last 16 years. Their habitats are being destroyed. And the employees of the palm oil plantations see them as pests and shoot them. The indigenous people who live in the rainforest are also being left homeless; their homes are being destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations.

"Although it seems impossible to avoid palm oil once you start looking at the list of ingredients on product labels, it is perfectly possible to live without palm oil."

Sam lives in Sedbergh and is married to Will: "We have a little boy Eli who is seven and my inspiration for saving the orangutans and trying to preserve the planet for future generations."

Sam has worked for North West Ambulance Service for 17 years as an ambulance driver and graduated with a BA honours degree in industrial ceramics from UCLAN in 2007. She specialises in watercolour paintings of animals.

"It will be interesting to chat with the general public and to find out how much they know about palm oil and inform them of how much palm oil is in the everyday products that we buy. I am also hoping to sell my paintings, greetings cards and mugs to help raise money to donate to Borneo Orangutan Survival. The event will also be fun for the family as there will be a colouring and craft table for the kids."