Star and Talent Studded Art Auction for Hospice Opens for Bids

My Lovely Postcards, the charity art auction supporting end-of-life nurse training in Oxfordshire, is back with an exciting line-up of celebrity contributions.

The initiative from Sobell House Hospice and Beth’s Bursary Fund, founded in memory of Beth Foreman, who passed away from bowel cancer at just 32, invites artists and creatives to submit postcard-sized artwork for a special exhibition and auction.

Since My Lovely Postcards began in 2017, the project has raised nearly £90,000 following auctions in 2017, 2019 and 2023. Since the last auction in May 2023, it has funded specialist training for 52 nurses and clinical staff.

This year’s auction features contributions from an impressive array of celebrities and famous artists. Among those taking part are; Dame Judi Dench, presenter and comedian Mel Giedroyc, actor Paul Chahidi, artist and paint pioneer Annie Sloan, renowned children’s illustrator kOrky Paul, TV’s leather expert Suzie Fletcher and actor Ben Willbond.

Commenting on her contribution to the auction Dame Judi Dench, said: “My father, who was a doctor in York, was always a very keen watercolourist. On all our many picnics, he would always paint, my mother would sew, and my brothers and I would paint as well. I enjoy painting landscapes and seascapes and I like to paint from memories, not photos.

“My late husband Michael liked to paint. He painted for the first time when we were in Italy on holiday—very beautifully. And my daughter, Finty, paints too. My favourite artist is The King. He is the most beautiful painter, and I have been fortunate enough to see some of his paintings at Dumfries House, which I admired very much indeed.”

The name of the exhibition, My Lovely Postcards, came from Beth’s dad, Neil, who used the term ‘my lovely’ with Beth.

Beth’s younger brother Jonas Foreman said: “Beth’s Bursary Fund continues to fund palliative carers to receive the additional specialist training that enables them to deliver the extra support that makes such a difference at life end, as it did for Beth, when she was in Sobell House. Focusing on replenishing the Fund continues to keep Beth’s memory very much alive for her family and friends, just as she was so vital and alive for the family and friends in her life”.

Using the fund, more nurses can access training courses on topics such as pain management and psychological training. Training courses are often self-funded by nurses.

Over 600 pieces of artwork are available to bid on and available exclusively via the online auction, which is open from the 1st May 2025 until the 25th May 2025 at 9:00 PM. The auction can be found from here: https://sobellhouse.org/news-article/my-lovely-postcards-2025/.

The artwork will be displayed in Oxford from May 3 to May 5, 2025, at The Cloister Gallery at SJE, Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1EH, offering visitors a chance to view the pieces before bidding online.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Example artwork and photography can be downloaded here.

For more information or interviews, please contact Cara Churchman on cara@thankstomarketing.com

About Sobell House

Since 1976, Sobell House Hospice has provided compassionate care to adults with a life- limiting illness and supported their loved ones. At any given time, we care for around 650 people across Oxfordshire at home, in our inpatient unit, in the local hospitals, and through our Living Well service.

Our mission is to enrich the lives of our patients and those who love and care for them. That’s why our focus is on the here and now and making every moment matter. By providing our patients with a better quality of life, we hope to give them more time making memories with loved ones or doing what matters most to them.

In addition to medical care, we are able to offer a wide range of services, to help fulfil every person’s psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs. We also provide bereavement support to people who have lost a loved one.

Sobell House Hospice is jointly funded by the NHS and the Sobell House Hospice Charity. Every year, the Charity raises around £4 million to help fund the care we provide.

Our vision is to offer high quality end of life care to all those who need it in Oxfordshire. Over the next 5 to 10 years, our aim is to build the necessary infrastructure to deliver more direct care across all of our services, to provide more education and training for health and social care professionals who deliver end of life care, and develop a network of carers and volunteers capable of alleviating the stress of those with a terminal illness and the bereaved, where they live.

Find out more at: https://sobellhouse.org

Charity Registration No 1118646. Sobell House Hospice Charity Ltd, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ