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Mayor Buys Hospice Art, Gifts It Back to Artist's Family
7 Oct
Summary
- Artwork started by a young woman before her death was auctioned.
- The Mayor bid £2,000 and then returned the art to her family.
- The artist had complex congenital heart disease and was hospice-supported.
An unfinished piece of art, initiated by a 22-year-old woman before her passing, has found a poignant new home. The artwork was purchased for £2,000 at a charity ball for Derian House Children's Hospice. The artist, Francesca McCaigue, had battled complex congenital heart disease and received support from the hospice since she was eight years old.
Francesca died on July 6th, with her sister Chlöe present, unable to finish the artwork intended for the hospice's fundraising event. Witnessing the circumstances at the ball, the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, stepped forward. He placed the winning bid of £2,000 for the artwork.
Demonstrating remarkable generosity, Councillor Hussain immediately returned the artwork to Francesca's family. This act allowed the piece to remain with them, carrying a special significance after her posthumous contribution to the hospice's vital fundraising efforts.
