Northern Ireland

Big-hearted artists lend support to local charities

PPR activists Fionnuala Kennedy, Playwright, Gareth Moore, Artist, Louise Mathews, Actress, at the launch of their week-long auction appeal which starts today
PPR activists Fionnuala Kennedy, Playwright, Gareth Moore, Artist, Louise Mathews, Actress, at the launch of their week-long auction appeal which starts today PPR activists Fionnuala Kennedy, Playwright, Gareth Moore, Artist, Louise Mathews, Actress, at the launch of their week-long auction appeal which starts today

BIG-HEARTED local artists have teamed up with human rights group Participation and Practice of Rights [PPR] and The Mac Belfast to auction off some of their finest work in a bid to help families in the lead-up to Christmas.

Over 40 pieces of art work will go under the hammer for the online fundraiser which launches today with proceeds going to families that have fallen on hard times during the pandemic.

Well-known local artist Terry Bradley is among those who have donated to the week-long exhibition as well as Susan Hughes and community artist Gareth Moore, who came up with the idea to support three local charities in Belfast.

The Right to Work: Right to Welfare (R2W), The Mac Belfast and PPR are supporting the Whiterock Children's Centre (west Belfast), The Larder (east Belfast) and the Marrowbone Community Hub (north Belfast).

Local actress and PPR activist Louise Mathews paid tribute to kind-hearted artists who have backed their Christmas appeal.

"The artwork up for auction is truly outstanding," said Ms Mathews. "Terry Bradley has donated a piece called Hope which is stunning and Susan Hughes has sketched a beautiful portrait of PPR founder Inez McCormack and a series of limited edition prints have been commission by The Mac for our campaign."

Like most sectors, the Arts sector has been ravaged by Covid19 with Ms Mathews adding: "This is also a way of celebrating the exceptional talent of our own local artists and their generosity towards others."

There has been a 90 per cent rise in the number of people claiming universal credit since the pandemic started.   

"Going from maybe a £25,000 a year job to £90 per week means debt and borrowing, to the point where people are choosing between heat or food. 

"We were going to run the auction for two weeks but the charities need to get the money quicker, so the auction will run for one week."

For further information and to start bidding log on to: www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/hearts-18402