Holby City actor Robert Powell and Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller are the latest high-profile people to design deckchairs for a unique St Elizabeth Hospice fundraiser.
Their designs were unveiled on Tuesday May 18th at the Cut community arts centre in Halesworth by leading businessman Brian Morton MBE and Lord of the Rings actor Bernard Hill. Hospice chief executive Jane Loughlin joined them.
Mr Morton’s family-run company the Morton Partnership has generously supported the Suffolk Coastal Deckchairs project and he chose to unveil the new additions at his 75th birthday party.
Mr Morton, of Walberswick, said: “When we were approached by Ann McBride to support this project which she spearheaded, we were instantly impressed by the scale and quality of what she had achieved to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice. As a Suffolk-based company we were keen to help wherever we could knowing it would benefit a charity which holds an important place in the local community.”
The Morton Partnership, which has offices in Halesworth and London, provides consulting structural engineers and historic build consultants and has worked on the Bury St Edmund’s Cathedral tower project, Southwold Town Pier and are is currently repairing and restoring the roofs at the Palace of Westminster.
Lord of the Rings actor Mr Hill, who lives in Reydon, said: “I was privileged to create a deckchair design for this project and hope the funds raised will benefit many people who require Hospice services.”
Robert Powell, currently starring as Mark Williams in the BBC One hospital drama Holby City and well known for his role in the Detectives, designed a canvas called the Shark which was then painted by his artist daughter-in-law Sarah Topley.
Mr Powell said: “I thought what would someone not want to sit on, a shark so I designed one! It is an excellent project and I hope it will raise thousands of pounds for the Hospice.”
The exhibition now comprises of more than 40 creations by well known actors, writers and artists including Anthony Horowitz, cartoonist Annie Tempest, thespian Sean Bean, Mr Benn creator David McKee and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt illustrator Helen Oxenbury.
They are on show at the Cut in Halesworth until June 5 before touring East Suffolk and will then be auctioned off on October 1 for to raise money for the Hospice.
To bid for a deckchair email enquiries@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 723600.