Be among Royalty and take part in 25-piece Textile Art Challenge for Canine Partners
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s Household have created a quilt as part of 25-piece Textile Art Challenge in aid of assistance dog charity Canine Partners – and it’s not too late for you to be among Royalty and purchase your packs.
The Charity, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is challenging people to buy a pack of 25 fabrics and use all of them, in whole or part, to create a finished piece which will be exhibited for four days from Thursday 18 February at The Angel Inn in Midhurst, who are generously hosting the event.
Attendees of the exhibition will be able to purchase the creative pieces of art, with all funds enabling Canine Partners to continue its life-changing work.
Organiser Olive Rowell, who was one of a team of 60 chosen to embroider HRH The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress under strict confidentiality at the Royal School of Needlework in the lead up to the Royal wedding in 2011, is donating all proceeds from the £10 pack to go to Canine Partners, a charity which trains assistance dogs to transform the lives of people with disabilities.
Olive, from Haslemere, said: “We are thrilled TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s Household have taken time out from their busy schedule to take part in the challenge. HRH The Duke of Gloucester is Patron of Canine Partners, and has always taken a keen interest in the work of the Charity.
“There is still time to be among Royalty and take part too; it is an ideal gift for people of all ages. It is a fantastic opportunity to be creative whether you complete the challenge as an individual or group.
“We look forward to welcoming people to the exhibition in February and raising funds so such a worthwhile cause.”
Canine Partners, which was founded in 1990, trains dogs to help with everyday tasks people with disabilities would otherwise find difficult, painful or impossible including opening doors, undressing, pressing buttons, and fetching dropped items. The dogs increase independence, confidence and provide loving companionship.
Kay Gilmore, Regional Fundraiser at Canine Partners, said: “Canine Partners does not receive any government funding so relies solely on donations and legacies to continue its life-transforming work.
“We are grateful to Olive for donating the proceeds to Canine Partners and we are excited to see the finished pieces exhibited.”
Olive has an honours degree in Hand Embroidery achieved at the Royal School of Needlework and is an exhibiting member of the Wey Valley Workshop of textile artists.
If you are interested in purchasing a 25-piece pack to take on the Textile Art Challenge please contact Olive Rowell on 01428 642507 or it will be available via caninepartners.org.uk/shop from Monday 4 January.