Business sponsors, and donations for an auction, are being sought for what promises to be one of the most prominent and ambitious charity events of the year.
The auction will be staged at The Villa at Levens at a gala day to launch a unique photo exhibition, 100-to-1, which is aiming to raise more than £20,000 for three charities.
Organised by Kendal photographer Glynis Bland, the event will also include stalls, magic, music and other entertainment. The exhibition will spotlight 100 people who were born in each year from 1914 to 2014. Their pictures will also be included in a limited edition book which will go on as the exhibition opens.
The three charities which will benefit are Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Macmillan Cancer, and Bay Search and Rescue. Kevin Kendal from 1818 Auctioneers will bring down the hammer on donated gifts and promises, the first of which are a wine tasting experience, and dinner for two at a top restaurant.
The youngest of the one hundred is Stanley Taylor, from Grange over Sands, who Glynis photographed initially as a newborn baby. He subsequently needed a heart operation, and Glynis recorded his progress in pictures.
“Stanley’s story touched my heart,” says Glynis. “I’d photographed him as a newborn baby, before he was diagnosed, and when I went back I wanted to do something practical to help.”
That “something” became the remarkable project involving a further 99 people, from all over England, from all different backgrounds and walks of life. There’s another “local lad”, 98 year old Henry Wilson Robinson from Oxenholme; and 94 year old, Tadeusz Wierzbowski, from Cirencester, the last surviving Lancaster bomber pilot.
“As a professional photographer, I get to see and capture all types of life,” said Glynis. “Reflecting on the variety of my work, I came up with the idea of a unique new project to capture the diversity and breadth of photography that I take, and at the same time raise a substantial sum for charity.”
Each of the subjects was asked the same question: What could you not live without? Answers range from “toast” and “whisky and a packet of crisps” to the 87 year old who said “Skype”.
“We are determined to make this a very successful fund-raising occasion,” said Glynis. “We want local businesses to join in and help, by sponsorship or by donating items for the auction and a raffle.”
Anyone who wants to help is asked to contact Glynis on 07919 201711 or glynis@glynisblandphotography.co.uk
The gala day is on Sunday September 6 at The Villa.
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