If you’re looking for a helping hand, look no further than Walsall College. Especially when Anne Wylie gets involved. The Walsall Arts Fest had donations from Launer London to raise funds for the Amber Walk Appeal, Operation Ollie : Let’s get him walking and the Lillie’s Innowalk Appeal. It was important that the sale of the gorgeous wallet and purse be managed as best as possible and after discussing this with Anne, The Bid Win Help project was born. Walsall Arts Fest artists had donated their work and students Izabela Dzierzak, Saahil Imran, George Stanton and Sam Lenton set about their business. And business it was, mixed with art with a heart. £2,001 was raised at a fundraiser dinner/auction, it would have been less but Anne didn’t want each child to have £666 so she made up the money herself.
This is what happened. The HNC Business Studies students organised and promoted the event and it was attended by lecturers, Jeremy Bridgman and his wife who I sat next to as well as Assistant Principal Jayne Holt. Peter Gordon and his wife were also there and there was plenty of business people including Suki and Paul Lalli of Solid Systems Global of Derby.
Anne took to the stage as host for the night and work was donated by Cherie Strong who has her Crazy, Mad, Beautiful show at the Reload Gallery in Leamington Spa starting on 19th March 2016 until 4th April 2016. A bit of friendly bidding took place for this prized piece and Jayne Holt walked away with that, the Launer London purse and a smile on her face. But that was not outdone by Mr and Mrs Bridgman’s items which included the work of George A. Raggett known for his dry wit.
The list goes on. Work that was up for grabs included that of internationally acclaimed street artist JPS whose recent work can only be seen in the wet.
Seeing the combined force of big business such as Primark and Tesco come together with local Walsall businesses Southcart Books and Keep on Riding made this event something special. The First Edition Harry Potter Book donated sold for £56 and the four rounds of golf donated by The Belfry was quickly taken by Suki and Paul Lalli who cannot be thanked enough for their contribution to the success of the night. Anne’s husband watched with pride as she led the evening and Izabela wowed the group as she walked the art work around the room.
So many people to thank. Here’s the links to their pages. Jonny Arnold, Los Dave, M-One Art, Miz Brixz, Slightly Bruised Fruit, One of Sam’s, Korp, Martin Gethin Wild Star Boxing Gym, Carolyn Bayliss, Joseph Hicklin (have a look at the video made in the Fountain pub in Walsall as well), Rachel Mayfield, Bird, Deeds, Jerome’s Restaurant at Walsall College, Rowley’s Restaurant Derby and the New Art Gallery Walsall who donated a Ged Quinn book. A special thanks goes to David Charles Bayes who is a marketing expert and was in touch with me as he was working with Launer London at the time.
We all came together again for the presentation of the cheques to the families made by Jatinder Sharma, Principal of Walsall College. Tesco’s Community Champion, Trish Edwards who the students had worked with on bag packing in order to fundraise was there too. At the same time the four students were given a Personal Development award for their efforts which lecturer Anne Wylie described as a “great response to a live brief”. Indeed.