Artwork created by celebrities auctioned on eBay and an exclusive art exhibition held at Cheltenham College’s Thirlestaine Gallery raised over £11,000 for Gloucestershire hospice Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court

The Art Affirming Life initiative, organised by hospice volunteer Carol Sandiford, saw 147 individual items of art created on 5x5 card, some by celebrities Simon Pegg, Emma Samms and Laurence Lewellyn-Bowen.

They were sold on eBay in a secret auction among anonymous art created by established artists, hospice patients and supporters of the charity, funds for Leckhampton Court.

A two-day art exhibition held at the prestigious Long Gallery, Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham College over the weekend of October 22 and 23 exhibited 300 creations by 35 established artists across Gloucestershire and neighbouring counties incorporating oil painting, acrylic, digital photography and multimedia.

Work was especially donated by artist of international renown PJ Crook to help raise funds for the hospice, and the exhibition’s featured artist, Millie Inchley, created a unique panoramic painting of the hospice itself for the exhibition.

The event was sponsored by Cotswold Cheltenham BMW whose staff created 5x5 pieces of artwork for the eBay auction, with support from Kellands Cotswolds LLP and media partners Cotswold Life.

Carol Sandiford, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court volunteer of five years and exhibition organiser said, “A great deal of hard work was put in by a number of people to make this exhibition possible. I should like to thank each and every one of them and also our generous sponsors and supporters, Cotswold Cheltenham BMW, Kellands and Cotswold Life together with all those who became Friends of Leckhampton Court Art exhibition and donated money to help to finance it.

“It was wonderful to see so much good and varied art being shown and we’re very grateful to all the artists who sent work to the exhibition. We have also been very glad to have had the opportunity of shining a spotlight on the important connection between art and palliative care and on the valued and vibrant work done by the hospice in this area.”

Paul Neale, Head of Business from event sponsors Cotswold Cheltenham said, “We are delighted with the success of the ‘Art Affirming Life Exhibition’ and the amount raised for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.”

Elise Hoadley, Hospice Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, “I am thrilled Art Affirming Life was so well supported by artists, businesses and all those who attended the exhibition. Not only does Carol volunteer with us every week on our inpatient care unit, but over the past year she has been busy pulling together this huge event which has raised a fantastic amount for our hospice. The funds raised will allow us to continue providing specialist care for local people and families when they need us most.”

For further information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit the website.

Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice will be holding ther annual ‘Lights of Love’ event on Wednesday December 7 to celebrate the lives of loved ones.