Art For Cure
1071. Belinda Gray
Belinda Gray, from Woodbridge, is the founder of ‘Art For Cure’, an art and outdoor sculpture show that has raised more than £650,000 for ‘Breast Cancer Now’ and local for cancer treatment.
Belinda decided to hold the first event in 2014 having undergone treatment for breast cancer. The first event raised £100,000, accounting for one of the largest donations from a private event to Breast Cancer that year. Since then two more exhibitions have taken place attracting more than 10,000 attendees with donations towards a local cancer ward at Ipswich Hospital and funding services such as a new wig service, beauty workshops, counselling services and support for nutrition, diet and exercise. This year Belinda and a group of supporters took part in a 450 kilometre charity bike ride across Vietnam, which has raised over £100,000, and she is currently planning a new art exhibition in London for 2019.
In a personal letter to Belinda, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your incredible fundraising through your ‘Art For Cure’ exhibitions are supporting thousands of people in Suffolk and across the country. You should feel tremendously proud of the money you have raised and the difference you are making to people like yourself who have undergone treatment for cancer.”
Belinda said:
“I am very fortunate to be in good health now and have the motivation and energy to contribute to something positive and feel immensely privileged that our hard work and fundraising has been recognised at such a prestigious level by the Prime Minister.”