On Thursday 18 July guests attended the opening of the Lend A Hand exhibition in the crypt of Rochester Cathedral.
After two years casting sports stars’ hands, international award-winning body-cast sculptor and Abigail’s Footsteps Vice President, Louise Giblin opened her exhibition ‘Lend A Hand’ in the crypt at Rochester Cathedral on 18 July.
The fundraising exhibition will support the baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps and features the life size hand casts of twenty-five sport stars, including football legend Sir Geoffrey Hurst MBE, Olympian Sally Gunnell OBE DL and queen of the ice Jayne Torvill OBE.
Guests at the morning event included, Paralympian Louise Sugden, Rugby Player Zainab Alema, Baroness Astor of Hever, High Sheriff of Kent Dr Gillian Fargher, Amanda Cottrell OBE DL JP, Charity Vice President Cheryl Baker, The Very Reverend Philip Hesketh AKC Dl, and brothers Gary Hake and Kevin Hake from Chatham Town FC.
David Ward, Chief Executive and Founder of Abigail’s Footsteps said, “We were delighted to see so many Abigail’s Footsteps supporters, at the launch of the Lend A Hand exhibition by renowned sculptor Louise Giblin. Famous names include Sir Geoff Hurst, Sally Gunnell OBE Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Jayne Torvill, Lee Mears and two of our other charity VP’s Victor Ubogu and Craig Chalmers.
“The money raised by online bids for the stunning casts displayed in the ‘Lend A Hand’ exhibition will be used for ‘Abigail’s Garden’, a bereavement garden opening later this year in the Medway Maritime Hospital.”
Sculptor Louise Giblin MRSS said, “Baby loss is not often spoken about but is far more prevalent than is generally appreciated. Many of the famous sportspeople I asked to model readily offered to help because unfortunately this has touched someone in their lives and they know how valuable the support offered by charities like Abigail’s Footsteps is, to bereaved parents and their families.
The exhibition will run until 31 August in the Crypt of Rochester Cathedral and bids can be placed on the framed hand casts by visiting https://superstars-auctions.com/abigailsfootsteps until 14 September.
ENDS
About Louise Giblin
Louise Giblin MRSS is predominantly known for life casting – covering Olympians, famous people, war veterans, models and private clients with plaster or alternative media.
The Exhibits
Sir Geoffrey Hurst MBE – Football, World Cup Winner, the only surviving member of the 1966 squad
Dame Katherine Grainger – Rowing, Chair for Sport UK, Olympic and World Champion
Kriss Akabusi MBE – Athletics, Olympic medallist, World and European Champion
Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE – Cycling, Paralympic and World Champion
Susannah Townsend MBE- Olympic and European Champion, Commonwealth medallist
Sally Gunnell OBE – Athletics, Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Champion
Jayne Torvill MBE – Ice Dance, Olympic, World, European Champion
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards – Ski Jumping, Olympian, National Record Holder 1988-2001
Shirley Roberson OBE – Sailing, Olympic, World and European Champion
Louise Sugden – Wheelchair Basketball and Para Powerlifting – World Champion, Paralympian and Commonwealth medallist
Adam Duggleby MBE – Cycling, National, Paralympic and World Champion
Kate Hayward – Swimming, Olympian, Commonwealth medallist
Emily Scarratt MBE – England Rugby, Six Nations and World Cup Winner
Sarah Hunter MBE- England Rugby, Six Nations and World Cup Winner
Lewis Ludlow – England Rugby
Zainab Alema – Richmond Rugby
Victor Ubogu – England Rugby
Craig Chalmers – Scotland Rugby
Lee Mears – England Rugby
Chris Jones – England Rugby
Buster White – Barbarians and Wasps RFC
Russell Earnshaw – England Sevens
Phil Tuffnell – England Cricket
Chris Cowdrey – England Cricket
About Abigail’s Footsteps
Abigail’s Footsteps is a baby loss charity providing support and counselling for bereaved parents and families as well as specialist bereavement training for midwives and healthcare professionals.
Since 2010, the charity has worked to improve the way bereaved parents are cared for by hospitals and to better educate midwives about how to care for grieving parents. Sadly, stillbirths and neo-natal deaths occur daily, yet many hospitals are not equipped to deal with the parental care required.
By working with medical professionals to understand the issues and seek solutions Abigail’s Footsteps has helped many families across the UK. Donations allow the charity to distribute Abi Cooling cots across the country, giving parents valuable time to spend with their baby before saying goodbye.
