Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh's school Cheam School art exhibition raises £50,000 for foundation
A Hampshire school has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity after hosting a spectacular art exhibition.
The sports hall of Cheam School, in Headley, was transformed into a professional art gallery, thanks to sponsorship from the Jenna Burlingham Gallery.
As well as showcasing work from every child in the school – from nursery to year 8 – which was hung professionally, there was a live and silent auction of work donated by alumni, past and present parents, and staff, in aid of the Bursary Fund, which provides 100 per cent life-changing school bursaries.
Under the steer of television presenter and guest auctioneer, Mark Durden-Smith, the event raised a staggering £50,000 for the Cheam Foundation.
The funds will help to change the lives of one or two children who have been recommended to Cheam via the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation.
Cheam, prep school of HRH Prince Charles and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, said it was honoured that Clarence House loaned the school a painting by HRH the Prince of Wales – Kilphedir Pool on River, Helmsdale, Sutherland – for the evening.
During the day, the children visited the exhibition and there were prizes for the Pre-Prep and Prep School, awarded by the four judges.
Vale Edgington, head of the Cheam Foundation, said: “We are extremely grateful to our event sponsors Jenna Burlingham Gallery, Prime Purchase and Fowler Architecture and Planning for enabling us to put on an event of this scale, which included every child in the school’s framed piece of artwork.
“We were also very fortunate to have established artists from the art world – Oliver Akers-Douglas, Miranda Donovan and Louise Pragnell – judging the children’s work.
“We are one of the few prep schools in the country to have a foundation and to be partnered with the Springboard charity, which has such a positive impact on young people’s lives.”
Headteacher William Phelps added: “What an extraordinary art exhibition.
“Huge congratulations to Vale Edgington, Mrs Clark, head of art, the Cheam Foundation team and art exhibition committee.
“They have all worked tirelessly over the last few months to bring together art from across the school in the most spectacular event.
“It has been a superb opportunity to celebrate every child at Cheam and I congratulate each and every one on their contribution.
“The quality of work was impressive and our four visiting judges certainly had a challenge on their hands.
“Thank you to all those who joined us on the evening and supported Cheam and the foundation by purchasing their children’s art or that donated by generous local artists.”
