Amy is going arty for cancer charities

After weeks of ‘secret planning’ Amy has revealed she will be hosting ‘Amy’s Irish Art Exhibition’ at the Charles Gilmore Fine Arts Gallery in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast on Thursday, May 21 between 3pm and 9pm.

“I am extremely excited,” said Amy, “and it will be used to raise money for the two charities who have helped me through my recent battle with leukaemia - Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Children and Clic Sargent”.

It all started when Amy was contacted by Charles Gilmore, the gallery owner, who offered his venue for a fundraiser and one of his artists, Paloma, to help bring it all together.

With the first donation rolling in from Banbridge Town Supporters Club, Amy has an exciting line-up.

“Rory McIlroy has kindly donated two of his winning 18 hole flags from last year to us.”

“Highest bidder wins and each flag is signed and will be framed separately. We definitely got a hole in one with these donations”.

Prestigious county Down artist Stephen Forbes has donated one of his “Playground” paintings valued at £2,000.

Charles Gilmore said: “He’s a great guy and fabulous artist. He called in this morning and just casually offered to help.”

Amy was also delighted with a piece donated by Mark Barclay who nursed her on ward 10 north through her fifth round of chemo and bone marrow transplant.

“What is making it come together so well is the number of artists who are kindly donating pieces to this event of which we will receive 100% of the money,” said Amy.

JKC MINI Coleraine also had a huge surprise for Amy when they offered her a top of the range Mini Cooper D for a month, to promote the event.

“I just love it and it’s a great way of spreading the word. Keep your eyes peeled for my eye catching mini flying around,” she said.

AB&C Insurance sponsored the insurance and Robert Malone photographer took time out to capture Amy’s surprise in a photoshoot.

“This fundraiser means the world to me. I have been trying to get on my feet to get a fundraiser sorted so I could thank those who helped me greatly through my illness. I just want to give a little back to say thank you and to help others who are in the same situation as I was,” said Amy who is now six months post transplant, the bone marrow having been donated by little sister Gemma.

Donations can be made directly to Charles Gilmore Gallery or through Amy’s giving page virginmoneygiving.com/AmysIrishArtExhibition.