Local artists help raise over £5,000 for multiple sclerosis sufferers

Actress Gill Wright, who plays Jean Slater in EastEnders and friend Ross Boatman, alias Harvey Monoe, together with Katrina Shearlaw and the Rowsham Creatives, have been fundraising. Through art sales, an auction and a raffle, compered by Ross, they managed to raise more than £5,300.

The event was timed to coincide with the start of Bucks Art Weeks, which is the area’s largest visual arts festival - and it’s free to visit! It’s happening now until 23rd June. Every year in June the bright yellow signs go up around Buckinghamshire, and visitors can drop in on all the artists and makers taking part. This year there are over 300 painters, potters, glassworkers, printmakers, jewellers, sculptors, photographers, textile workers and others showing their work and processes. It’s a good day out - most venues offer refreshments in exchange for a donation to charity - and you can find out more at www.bucksartweeks.org.uk.

Gill says: ‘A massive THANK YOU to all the artists and to Suave Foods who donated 20 per cent of their sales, to the generous local businesses who donated such wonderful experiences and gifts for the auction and raffle, and to all those who attended and spent their money and joined in the laughter!’

Gill’s sister Lois has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for around 30 years, and Gill uses her time back stage in theatre or on set between scenes when she’s filming, by knitting, felting and embellishing unique hats and bags, throws and blankets. Her brand, Handmade Between Scenes, raises money for MS charities at craft fairs across the counties. The MS Trust said: ‘We’re so grateful to Gill. We train specialist nurses to help people living with MS but receive no government or NHS funding, so events like this make a real difference to the 150,000 people living with MS in the UK.’

If you’re interested in art and making, you can find out more about Bucks Art Weeks at bucksartweeks.org.uk. Or to see more about the MS Trust and get involved, please go to mstrust.org.uk.