Our amazing story
Why we do what we do
Let’s tell you a true and inspiring story.
Bob Sutcliffe taught himself to paint after being diagnosed with a heart condition and a recurrence of a rare form of epilepsy. He was supported by many people including Sofiya Patel. She was herself suffering from cancer and, despite her own prognosis, she never tired of encouraging Bob with passion for his artwork and kindness.
Art raising money
Bob has now raised over £1/2 million for charity by selling his ‘Bob on Paintings’ cards. He is now a multiple award-winning fundraiser and was appointed to the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for services to charity, education and people with epilepsy.
He knows that whilst he has raised so much money for others, the process to create his art work has given him comfort and relaxation, helping to manage his epilepsy and it’s associated side-effects. It’s a win/win situation - money raised, health managed.
Given his own personal experiences with the benefits of creativity on his health, Bob wanted to give others the same opportunities. He wanted to focus his work in helping people in the most difficult of circumstances- many in the same situation as Sofiya and their families.
So he founded ‘The Creative Health Trust UK’ - a unique charity which aims to give grants to Hospices who want to provide any form of creative activities that will contribute to the well-being of residents and families.
For more information - see our page about Creative Health and Our Grants
In memory of Sofiya Patel