Bethany raises money for charity through art

Bethany raises money for charity through art

27 May 2015

A DOWN High School student has raised £200 for the Cancer Fund for Children.

Seventeen year-old Bethany Courtney has benefited from the support of the charity since being diagnosed with a cancer-like illness a few years ago, raising her £200 by 

selling a piece of artwork.

The talented Ballynahinch student created the piece for her school that was selected to be shown in an exhibition in the Ulster Museum called True Colours. The exhibition featured 70 of the top GCSE, AS and A-level arts students across Northern Ireland.

Bethany was shocked when a woman from Cork got in touch with her school and offered to buy the artwork, which is a ceramic piece entitled the ‘Tree of Narnia.’ Bethany suggested the woman made a donation to the charity instead. 

The lady who bought the artwork travelled to Downpatrick last Friday to meet Bethany and present the cheque for £200 for Cancer Fund for Children.

Bethany explained her artwork is inspired by the Cancer Fund for Children’s Narnia log cabin outside Newcastle where she spent many weekends on residentials which helped her cope with her cancer journey.

“During my residentials at Narnia I was so happy,” she explained. “I was inspired by the trees and magical atmosphere. For the first time I was able to open up and chat to a specialist about what I was going through which helped so much.

“I went home and began working on the artwork. The finished piece just reflects my time there and how I feel about such an amazing place. I am delighted this lady has bought the artwork and made a donation to the charity that means so much to me.”

Bethany’s mum Roslyn said she was so proud when she saw so many people crowding around her daughter’s artwork admiring it, especially as she knew the story behind it.

“Nobody knew Bethany was ill when she created the piece and was really struggling with fatigue,” her mum revealed.

Naomi Braithwaite, a Cancer Fund for Children’s fundraiser, said the charity is particularly grateful to Bethany for selling her artwork and requesting the money was donated to the organisation.

She added: “We are all very proud Bethany has worked so hard to create this beautiful piece of art, despite the struggles she has faced. This money will help us continue to continue to provide practical, emotional and financial support to local families affected by cancer.”