‘Lend A Hand’ To Support Abigail’s Footsteps
On Thursday 18th July guests attended the opening of the Lend A Hand exhibition in the Crypt of Rochester Cathedral.
Top & Homepage Images © Rachel Luckhurst
After two years of 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 18th July.
The fundraising exhibition will go to the baby loss support charity Abigail’s Footsteps and features the hand casts of 25 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 Dr Gillian Fargher, Charity Vice President Cheryl Baker, The Very Reverend Philip Hesketh AKC Dl, and brothers Gary Hake and Kevin Hake from Chatham Town FC.
Images Rochester Cathedral; The hands are displayed in the beautiful cathedral crypt near the Crypt cafe – recommended for coffee and cake!
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 casts from the ‘Lend A Hand’ exhibition will be used for ‘Abigail's Garden’, a bereavement garden opening later this year in the Medway Maritime Hospital.”
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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.”
Above Montage of Images © Rachel Luckhurst
From top left: Cheryl Baker, Louise Sugden, Zainab Alema; Para Powerlifter Louise Sugden with her framed hand; Rugby player Zainab Alema displays her Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year trophy; Baroness Astor of Hever, Abigail’s Footsteps Founder David Ward and Vice President Cheryl Baker; Bob Bevan MBE with Cheryl Baker; Rochester Dean, the Very Reverend Phillip Hesketh tells about Bishop Chevasse, former Bishop of Rochester and an Olympian.
The exhibition will run until 31st 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 14th September 2024.
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
#AbigailsFootsteps #LouiseGiblin #RochesterCathedral #IndexDigital
