Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and Hitchin-based artist Sarah Graham, who appeared as a guest judge on CBBC’s ‘Britain’s Best Young Artist’ earlier this year, have revealed the winners of a local art competition who will be adding an additional splash of colour to this month’s PaintRush event in St Neots with their colourful creations.
15 year old Charlotte from Ernulf Academy in St Neots, eight year old Mia from Fairfield Park Lower School in Ruskin Drive and seven year old Ethan from Fairfield Park Lower School, Dickens Boulevard in Hitchin will have their motivational messages on proud display to greet hundreds of participants as they register to take on the 5km Paint Rush at Riverside Park in St Neots on 26th June 2022.
Their colourful creations will also be framed and displayed at the Bedfordshire-based hospice for all patients, visitors, volunteers and staff to enjoy.
Artist Sarah, whose work is all about colour and positivity, was delighted to be asked to judge the competition. She said “I was really impressed with all the entries, it was very difficult to choose but there were some outstanding pieces. I’m thrilled the winners will be displayed in the hospice for the staff, families and patients to enjoy.”
The hospice hopes the pair’s paintings will give a ‘bright’ boost to participants on the start line as they prepare to take on PaintRush.
Organised by volunteers and supported by Right at Home, Premier Plus, iDash and Tax Assist, PaintRush hopes to raise vital funds so Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice can be there when it matters for local families from across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
People can find out more about the PaintRush and register online at www.sueryder.org/stjohnspaintrush.
Joanne Landucci, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, added: “At Sue Ryder we believe that the end of someone’s life is the most important time of their life. Our care teams do all they can to make room for the things that matter – like spending time with loved ones, sharing stories, jokes and memories, and filling their final days with love.
“It’s truly fitting that this family friendly event will help raise vital funds so patients in our care experience as much comfort as possible at the end of their life, while helping to create some colourful fun memories for people and families taking part.”
“We’d like to share a huge thank all the children who took the time to submit their amazing creations for our PaintRush artwork competition. We had such a tough time choosing the final winners as they were all full of colour and messages of hope, which is just what we were looking for.”
PaintRush St Neots in support of Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice takes place on 26th June and online entry to the event – including a free t-shirt, sachet of paint and 25% off food and drink at the onsite Ambience Café – remains open until midnight on Sunday 19th June.
Starting and finishing at Riverside Park in the town, there will be a vibrant and fun warm up and atmosphere. And attendees can run, jog or walk the 5km route dotted with paint throwing stations.
Tickets cost £18 per adult and £12 per young adult (12-17 years) with children from age 5 to 12 able to take part too at the cost of £8 per ticket.
To register online, visit: www.sueryder.org/stjohnspaintrush.
Following the closure of online ticket sales on 19th June families still have the opportunity to take part in the ‘full of colour’ fun event. Just turn up on the day and wear a white T-shirt and be prepared to have ‘bags full of colourful fun’ as you walk, run or jog around the 5km fun outdoor course and get showered in paint powders in every colour of the rainbow, while raising funds to help fill people’s final days with love.
For more information email the hospice’s fundraising team at stjohnsfundraising@sueryder.org or call 01767 642 412.
