Sue Mims Memorial Exhibition raises £3000 for Cancer Research
Following the death of College Art Lecturer, Sue Mims, it was decided to mount an exhibition of her work, to pay tribute to her extraordinary and eclectic talent and also to raise funds for charity. Sue’s former colleague and friend, College lecturer Jayne Delaney, spent a year working with other colleagues and Sue’s mother and sister to bring the exhibition, Garra Marruji together. The show was held to great acclaim at the Yorkshire Craft Centre in Autumn 2005. Friends came from all over the country for the private view, which opened the exhibition. Around three quarters of the exhibits were sold on the opening night and when the exhibition closed £3000 had been raised for research into breast cancer.
It was a moving occasion when Jayne and colleagues gathered on 30th January 2006 to remember Sue and hand over the cheque. “I feel very privileged to be asked by Sue’s family to present this cheque to Cancer Research UK” said Jayne. “Yesterday was the second anniversary of Sue’s death and so this is a particularly poignant time for all of us. Sue was a remarkable woman: talented, creative, generous and gracious. We never discussed mounting an exhibition with her, but I hope that she would be delighted that her work has been displayed to make money to help cure the disease that has taken her away from us.The only time Sue’s work had been shown before was at her BA exhibition and then with modesty so typical of Sue, she did not put her name on it. She was always so reticent. It is ironic that in her life she wouldn’t exhibit and never sold her work, but her work has now attracted such admiration and raised such an amazing sum. ”
Sally Hutton, who accepted the cheque on behalf of Cancer Research UK, promised that the £3000 would be used effectively. “Thank you so much for this fantastic donation in memory of Sue Mims. This money will go to help other women beat breast cancer. We are the world’s largest organisation dedicated to cancer research, spending £240 million annually in the UK. Our scientists all around the UK are making real progress and are confident that they can achieve much more to prevent and treat cancer. Deaths overall have fallen by 12% in ten years. We raise £1 million a day, with fundraising often undertaken by grateful patients and their families.”
Sue’s talent will be appreciated at College for many years to come. Bradford School of Art purchased four pictures from the exhibition as a permanent reminder and a fitting memorial to Sue.
You can read more about Sue and view images from the exhibition here
Anyone inspired to get involved in fundraising can contact Sally Hutton, Community Fundraiser on 0113 231 9828 or email her at sally.hutton@cancer.org.uk
You can learn more about the work of Cancer Research UK by clicking here.