Young Carmarthenshire artist’s work brings ray of sunshine

ON Monday 1st March Rays of Sunshine, a children’s charity that brightens the lives of seriously ill children across the UK by granting their wishes and providing ongoing support, launched a stunning virtual children’s art gallery that displays bespoke artwork created by children who are all living with a serious or life-limiting illness. One of the people displaying their artwork is Sophie, aged 25, from Carmarthenshire, Wales.

Created alongside Moyosa Media, award winners in digital technology, the gallery aims to celebrate the magical bond between Rays of Sunshine and its beneficiaries, in addition to recognising the charity’s patrons and supporters. Each child has depicted their own interpretation of the theme ‘sunshine, happiness and laughter’ and many of the pieces of art were created during group creative workshops with Rays of Sunshine.

Sophie now aged 25, has a rare and complex form of Brittle Diabetes, Functional Neurological Disorder, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Non-Epileptic Seizure Disorder and Hypermobility Syndrome. She endures a range of symptoms daily, including seizures, joint dislocations, nausea and require lots of medication.

In 2010, Rays of Sunshine granted Sophie’s greatest wish to visit the set of BBC One’s drama Holby City. When Sophie’s health deteriorated, Sophie was offered another wish in 2012 and got to sing with popular boyband, JLS, at the Royal Albert Hall. Since then, Sophie has been heavily involved with the charity as a Wish Ambassador, where she has co-ordinated 18 wishes to date. Her artwork ‘Bring them fun’ will be displayed in the gallery and is inspired by one of her favourite memories with Rays of Sunshine, singing with the charity’s choir at Royal Albert Hall in 2014.

Lindsey Bennister, Chief Executive Officer of Rays of Sunshine, comments:

“We’re really excited to be launching the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Art Gallery filled with wonderful artwork by our beneficiaries. Every piece on display was created by a child living with a serious or life-limiting illness and the result is a collection of art as unique and inspiring as the children themselves. During the pandemic, Rays of Sunshine has been committed to continuing to support families across the UK, and provide joy and hope, and this gallery is no exception. Bringing together the children and families via virtual art sessions has resulted in some incredible pieces of art, which we are very proud to display. We’re incredibly grateful and thankful to everyone who made this possible, including our generous sponsors, Moyosa Media and, of course, all our very talented artists.”

The Rays of Sunshine Children’s Art Gallery is live from Monday 1st March 2021 here: https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/childrens-art-gallery/

Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and young people and their families across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. For more information, or ways to support, please visit www.raysofsunshine.org.uk.