Ludlow mother's driveway art sale for hospital
A mum has turned her driveway into an art gallery to raise money for the hospital cancer unit that saved her son's life.
Ludlow artist Dianne Jennings has put up a marquee filled with dozens of artworks produced over the years, which she is selling in aid of the O’Connor Haematology Unit at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Her aim is to raise enough to buy a cooling state-of-the-art fan to serve each and every patient undergoing chemotherapy.
Diane, 56, a former art teacher, said: “I am raising money for the O’Connor unit because my son Jim, who is 39, has been treated there for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and I have seen first-hand the wonderful work they do.
"He had a stem cell transplant not last Christmas, but the Christmas before and Dr O'Connor saved his life."
She said she had already raised £880 previously.
"When people are having chemotherapy they tend to get very hot and thought rather than just donate the money I would buy four Dyson fans.
"They make no noise and have no moving blades so are ideal for hospital use. Hopefully with this we'll get enough for every patient so they don't have to keep unplugging them and taking it in turns."
She said she had about 30 original artworks, including original oil, acrylic and encaustic wax paintings, in a marquee on her drive at 52 Greenacres, Ludlow, which will be available to view and buy everyday from now until Bank Holiday Monday on May 29.
Also on sale are greetings cards, art materials including brushes and paints along with books and slates.
"I've been painting for 15 years and until recently was teaching it. I've sold quite a few in the past and have my own website, www.paintingmyway.co.uk.
"We've set up a little marquee on the driveway, we've made it waterproof, and we have signs for people to find us out on Sheet Road.
"If the weather was a little better we could have more stands out on display, but it hasn't been the best," she said.
The artwork will be on sale from 10.30am to 6pm every day.
