12th May 2010
A youngster, who is cared for by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Milton, will have his artwork displayed in London and auctioned by PR magnate Max Clifford.
Elliott Roberts, 14, of Great Shelford, Cambridge, created a clay sculpture of the popular Disney character Shrek, as part of a national art initiative called ‘This is my Hero’ run by Children Hospices UK.
Elliott’s sculpture will be displayed in the ‘This is my Hero’ exhibition at The Gallery in Cork Street, London and will also be auctioned live by Max Clifford at the exhibition’s champagne launch on May 18.
Elliott has Crouzon’s syndrome; a genetic disorder where skull bones fuse prematurely. Because of his condition Elliott has been blind since the age of five and he also has a tracheostomy to help him breathe.
Elliott loves art and couldn’t wait to get involved with the ‘This is my hero’ art initiative at EACH Milton where he receives overnight care as well as attending activities and trips organised for teenagers.
EACH provides care and support for life-threatened children and their families in their own homes, as well as at one of the charity’s three hospices including Milton in Cambridgeshire.
Some children may only have a short time to live, perhaps only weeks or months, others may reach early adulthood but the EACH aim is always the same – to enhance their quality of life and support their family.
Because Elliott is blind he used his sense of touch to feel a Shrek mask from the hospice dressing-up box and then replicated what he felt in clay with very little assistance from care staff.
Elliott didn’t paint his work as colour is unimportant to him.
Elliott said: "I chose Shrek because he is a hero to many people. I have listened to the movie as I like to keep up to date with what is going on.
"I love sculpture as it’s tactile and touch is really important to me. It also gives me independence.
"I really love going to the hospice and the teenagers’ nights are really good - we get to have sleepovers and go on trips."
Claire Royston, Elliott’s mum, said: "Elliott is very good at charming people and he has always worked around whatever obstacles are in his way- he is very determined.
"Elliott also works really hard on being an interesting person, which is why he engages in not only art, but sport and gardening too.
"The whole family are delighted Elliott’s artwork has been chosen to be exhibited and auctioned. Elliott has been unwell recently, but he is making a recovery and is hoping to be well enough to visit the gallery and see his sculpture on display."
Helen Thrower, play specialist at Milton Hospice, said: "Elliott is imaginative and he has a really good sense of humour.
"He really enjoyed taking part in the art session and here at EACH we’re delighted his hard work and inspiration will be recognised.
"Many other artworks were created, but unfortunately only two pieces could be submitted - this is why we are having our very own exhibition here at the hospice to celebrate the work of every child who took part."
Aaron Bryan, 16, of Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, also created an artwork for ‘This is my Hero’, which is being exhibited online. Aaron has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but is able to move his hands and fingers a small amount. His love of I.T, which is his favourite subject at school, has helped him to create a dramatic and eye-catching piece of computer-generated comic art featuring Venom from Spiderman.
A total of 48 artworks were entered into the exhibition. 17 are available to view online, 23 will be exhibited in London and eight will be exhibited and auctioned live by Max Clifford- Elliott’s work is one of these eight.
Elliott’s siblings, Theo and Lizzy, have also created artworks for ‘This is my Hero’. These will be displayed at an exhibition at Milton hospice along with other artwork created by children cared for by the hospice.
EACH provides care and support for life-threatened children and their families in their own homes, as well as at the charity’s hospices based at Ipswich in Suffolk, which also serves North Essex, Quidenham in Norfolk and Milton in Cambridgeshire.
Some children may only have a short time to live, perhaps only weeks or months, others may reach early adulthood but the EACH aim is always the same – to enhance their quality of life and support their family.
EACH is a registered charity that relies upon public support for the majority of its required income of around £5.8 million.
