Sports Stars’ Hand Casts Exhibit Opens to Support Baby Loss Charity

AFTER two years 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 recently.

The fundraising exhibition will support the baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps and features the life-size hand casts of twenty-five sports 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 of Kent Dr Gillian Fargher, Amanda Cottrell OBE DL JP, Charity Vice President  Cheryl Baker, The Very Reverend Philip Hesketh AKC Dl, and brothers Gary Hake and Kevin Hake from Chatham Town FC.

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 the stunning casts displayed in the ‘Lend A Hand’ exhibition will be used for ‘Abigail’s Garden’, a bereavement garden opening later this year in the Medway Maritime Hospital.”

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 and they know how valuable the support offered by charities like Abigail’s Footsteps is, to bereaved parents and their families.”

The exhibition will run until 31 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 14 September.