Friday 15 April 2011

BIG NAMES ATTEND EXCLUSIVE EXHIBIT OF CHARITY ‘HARE’ CANVASES

Big names from the art and entertainment worlds went hare mad yesterday at an exclusive canvas viewing for Michael Van Clarke’s latest charity venture, the HARE styling appeal.
Above Pic: Michael Van Clarke, Nicky Clarke, Paul McKenna

At the Heartbreak gallery in London, the launch event saw celebrities, artists, hairdressers, and contributors such as Charles Worthington, Nicky Clarkes, Faye Ripley, Sunday Girl and Paul McKenna viewing the HARE inspired canvases all cut, coloured and styled to raise money for two new operating theatres at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The collectible and unique creations are credited to some of the biggest names in the business including Tracey Emin, Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts, Jamie Oliver, Stella McCartney, Mr Brainwash, Twiggy, Catherine Tate, Jack Vettriano, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Terry Venables, HRH Princess Beatrice and The Duchess of York to name but a few.
Following the launch event, the artwork will stay on display at Heartbreak until Sunday 8th May. Entry is FREE to the general public. The canvases are being auctioned for charity online from now, and at an exclusive ‘HARE Ball’ at The Dorchester Park Lane on May 26th 2011. A hard bound coffee table book featuring all the HARE canvases will be printed to raise further money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
The HARE Styling appeal was started by designer, Karen Welman and leading hairdresser Michael Van Clarke whose daughter Angelica was given a lifesaving operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital when she was just two days old. Now 15 years old, Angelica drew the hare, which was then printed on the canvases and sent out in order to help raise much needed funds for the hospital that saved her life.
Commenting on HARE Styling, Michael Van Clarke says, “The pioneering work carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital provides hope to extremely sick children and their families. My family knows first-hand the incredible difference the hospital can make and I am always looking for ways to show my gratitude. When we first came up with this HARE styling idea, we weren’t sure how it would be received, but we have been overwhelmed by the response from the recipients of the canvases.”
He adds, “The fundraising potential of these canvases is huge and we are so grateful for the time and effort people have put in to creating them. We are also looking forward to handing over a big cheque to the charity once all the canvases have been sold.”

Karen Welman adds, “Like Michael, my family have experienced first hand the care, attention and dedication of Great Ormond Street and the amazing people who work there. I am incredibly excited about The HARE styling campaign and feel confident that through auctioning these beautiful and special canvases we will raise a fantastic sum for this incredibly important and lifesaving hospital.”
The initiative is part of the wider HAIRraising appeal which has seen some of the biggest names in hairdressing, coming together in a bid to raise money for the hospital. Hairdressing salons across the UK have been taking part in fundraising activities and have raised over £600,000 to date with a target of £1million. 
Nicola Roberts (Girls Aloud)
"I really enjoyed designing my hare for the HARE Styling project. Especially as I knew that the money raised was helping to fund two new operating theatres at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which will give lots more very sick children the treatment they need."
Catherine Tate (Comedian)
HARE Styling is a fantastic innovative way to raise vital funds towards two new operating theatres at Great Ormond Street Hospital. I was really happy to get out the art box and lend my support.”
For further information or to see a selection of the canvases, please visit www.harestyling.com

No comments:

Post a Comment