Art auction raises funds for local causes

Graham Smith + Heather Penwarden (Honiton's Admiral Nurse campaign), Brian Goodison-Blanks (Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood), Alan Cotton (artist and auction patron), Fiona Page-Turner (THG)

Thelma Hulbert Gallery's learning programme and Honiton's Admiral Nurse campaign will benefit from a total of nearly £14,000, split between the two causes.

The money was raised from a hugely popular art auction, held at the gallery, in June.

Several well-known names were among the 56 artists who donated - including internationally reputed sculptor Peter Randall-Page RA and the auction patron, the renowned artist, Alan Cotton.

The sale was led by auctioneers Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood.

Heather Penwarden, chair of Honiton Dementia Action Alliance, said:

This charity art auction was an incredible example of a community working together in order to raise funds for two very worthy local causes.

We are extremely grateful to Alan Cotton for all his help and especially all the artists who supported the event so generously.

We would also like to thank all the sponsors including Combe Estate and Honiton Tesco, along with the volunteers who gave of their time to help us achieve such an outstanding result.

Mrs Penwarden also revealed that, having reached their fundraising target in under a year, the interviews are currently taking place for Honiton's Admiral Nurse. Honiton's Dementia Action Alliance has raised £150,000 to fund their own Admiral Nurse for Honiton, who will be provided and supported by the charity Dementia UK.

East Devon District Council's Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) was one of the first galleries in the county to become dementia friendly, while its award-winning learning programme benefits all the community.

The funds raised will especially help the gallery's work with adults living with dementia and their carers, as well as young people and adults with mental health issues.

Fiona Page-Turner, THG's Marketing & Fundraising Officer commented,

This will make such a difference to our learning programme, working with communities and groups across East Devon.

We would like to thank Brian Goodison-Blanks and his team at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers, who have helped us throughout the project and also led the auction – we really couldn't have done it without them.

The auction was generously sponsored by Combe Estate, Tesco Honiton and the Marker Charitable Trust with support from Deer Park Hotel, Devon Contractors, Honiton Together and Howdens Joinery Company.