A woman whose father died of a brain tumour has organised a themed art auction to help find a cure for the disease.
Holly Ainslie, 27, who lives in Brixton, South London, curated an online auction of original works of art on paper to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
A five-day in-person exhibition called ‘Paper Pieces’ kicked off the auction at Lyon & Turnbull’s Connaught Street auction house.
Holly said: “Despite it having been two decades since my dad lost his battle to cancer, treatment for brain tumour patients has hardly changed.
“This has highlighted the desperate need for increased funding into research and has been the main drive in setting up this auction.”
The fundraiser is in honour of Holly’s dad, Craig Ainslie, who died from an oligodendroglioma in 2003 after suffering headaches and speech problems.
He was 35, and left behind then six-year-old Holly, and her younger brother, Alex who was four.
Holly added: “It’s a strange thing to be so young when a parent is diagnosed with such a terrible illness.
“I was aware of what was happening at the time but until now, I never fully understood the breadth of what my mum went through trying to manage my father’s treatments while raising two young children.”
The collection, which will run until 22 July, boasts one-of-a-kind prints, paintings, and illustrations from a range of artists, including Jack McGarrity, Nettle Grellier, and Nikki Maloof.
Holly, who works as a gallery logistics manager, said: “I wanted to make it accessible for everyone.
“People will get the opportunity to see the artworks in person or view them digitally. They can place their bid there or have a think before making an offer online.”
Holly comes from a family of charity campaigners – in March she and her mum, Joanne, delivered a petition with 81,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street, calling for more research funding.
In May, more than a dozen family members came together to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks, raising more than £14,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
She said: “Commemorating my dad through fundraising challenges means I’ve become reacquainted with brain tumours and reminded of how devastating they are.
“Although the art auction was instigated by the 20-year anniversary of his passing, the fundraising events have been about celebrating his life and doing something to become a small step on the path to finding a cure.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the generosity and collaboration of artists, studios and galleries who have donated their works to make this auction possible.
“My experience is only one of many, where so many people continue to be affected by the consequences of this illness.”
Brain Tumour Research community development manager Charlie Allsebrook said: “Craig never got to see his children grow up because of this cruel disease.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Craig’s family for sharing his story and for their collective support. We wish Holly all the best with her auction.”
Brain Tumour Research is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
To view and bid on artwork part of ‘Paper Pieces’, visit: https://app.galabid.com/paperpiecesauction
