Hospice
Fundraising
10th – 17th May 2024 | 9.30am – 4.30pm weekdays and 10am – 3pm Saturday | Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 8QH
Portraits with Purpose: Continuing Bonds is a collaboration between St Oswald’s Hospice and Artist, Leanne Pearce.
Working with bereaved and pre-bereaved families who have accessed the hospice’s bereavement support and/or other care services, Leanne has created 12 poignant portraits.
The collection celebrates the lives of loved ones, provides a positive, creative focus for grieving or pre-bereaved families, and supports them in their ‘continuing bonds’ process.
We also hope to encourage more open conversations about death, dying and grief while challenging some of the perceptions around ‘hospice care’.
An exhibition of the unique and beautiful artworks launches during Dying Matters Week and will be on public display at Newcastle Civic Centre from the 10th – 17th May 2024 and is open 9.30am – 4.30pm on weekdays and 10am – 3pm Saturday.
Read more about the families below.
Get directions to Newcastle Civic CentreAfter initially meeting with families in Autumn 2023 – where many helped paint the background of their portrait canvas – Leanne has created the emotive artworks in her home studio in Newcastle.
After the exhibition, the portraits will be gifted to the families.
Families have been offered support by St Oswald’s Hospice’s Bereavement Team throughout.
The families come from a range of backgrounds, genders, religions, ages and sexualities. They are pre-bereaved, recently bereaved and long-term bereaved. Their experiences and stories are all unique and they show us that grief is a “rollercoaster” and “always there”.
The Hospice and Leanne wish to thank the families who took part in this unique and emotional project. They have been so open, honest and generous with their experiences and stories.
Krista, originally from Finland, met Craig in 2006. They bonded over their love of art and pop culture.
Read moreAir Cadet Eleanor met her husband-to-be when he performed in the Tyneside Scottish Pipe Band.
Read moreAlwyn was the much-loved mum to Michael, Melanie and Amy and sister to Rosamond and Pam.
Read moreSteven was a single dad living in Spain with his 2 children when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Read moreEve was a kind and bubbly 8-year-old when, one day, she collapsed at home.
Read moreNialle, who has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties, is honouring his dad.
Read moreWendy loved spending time with her fun-loving brother and his partner, Allan.
Read moreYasmin met Eddie at a spiritual retreat. They married and had two daughters.
Read moreDonna, 27, was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease as a teenager.
Read moreOur Bereavement Support and all our care services are free to anyone who needs them.
If you’d like to make a donation to St Oswald’s Hospice, Text BONDS followed by your donation amount (eg ‘BONDS 5’ to donate £5) to 70085.
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Or if you prefer, you can make a donation online below.
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