Successful art exhibition will help pay for new equipment at Eastbourne District General Hospital

The Friends of Eastbourne Hospital held their 13th Annual Art Exhibition in October and raised £4,387 for new equipment for the Eastbourne District General Hospital.

There are many people I should like to thank who made this possible. Firstly, Gareth Jones, headmaster of St Andrew’s Prep School who gave us the use of the gym to stage the exhibition, and secondly to the Society of Eastbourne Artists for the loan of their screens to display the paintings. We were delighted that 66 local artists entered a total of 309 paintings.

As well as the local artists a number of St Andrew’s pupils works of art made a colourful display on the stage which was an added attraction at the exhibition. Councillor Kathy Ballard deputy mayor opened the exhibition and Dr Andrew Marshall, consultant cardiologist, spoke about the echo cardiogram machine for cardiology, one of the Friends’ 2018 fundraising projects.

John Gross, a distinguished local artist, judged the best picture in the show. The cup was won by Mrs Lesley Dromgoole while the public’s favourite picture was won by Christoper Osborne.

Dr Harry Walmsley (Friends’ chairman) auctioned a painting of Rathfinney Vineyard donated by Mr Julian Sutherland Beaston, which raised £220.

The Friends very much value the support of their sponsors: Plan-A-Head for all their printing work, Josie Tipler for her painting demonstration, Jackie Hurwood for donating her painting for the raffle, Mr and Mrs Crockfard, Eastbourne College, Orchard Framing, Art Pantry and Newartgallery.

I am very grateful to the huge number of volunteers who gave their time to help in many ways, to ensure the smooth running and success of the exhibition, and thank you so much to our visitors and the public of Eastbourne for supporting our event to raise funds for the DGH.