The Royal Caledonian Education Trust - Est1815

News

27 February 2015

Artistic donation

Local artist donates painting in support of Scottish armed forces children

A local artist and his wife from Dunblane, outside Stirling, are donating the proceeds from the sale of an original painting to raise money to the Royal Caledonian Education Trust.

The painting, titled ‘Dandelion Moonwalk’ is being gifted by the Scottish artist and poet Jeremy Wyatt to appear in the forthcoming exhibition at the Arthouse Gallery, MacRobert Arts Centre in Stirling, which runs from 1-28 March 2015.

The RCET supports the education needs of children of Scottish serving men and women, and veterans. Many of the families we support are struggling to make ends meet or experiencing difficulties at home or ill health following active service.

Many thousands more are helped indirectly through the Trust’s education programme in schools to raise awareness of the challenges armed forces children face, particularly in the lead up to and during deployment.

Lucia Wyatt, who is herself an artist, said: “I heard about the RCET’s research collaboration with the University of Stirling to examine how deployment and mobility affected armed forces children. I spoke with Jeremy and we thought if we can help raise awareness of the Trust’s work by gifting one of his Dandelion Moonscapes then that is what we would do.”

“The haunting Moonscape series,” said Ms Wyatt “depicts the dandelion seeds lit up by the moon”. By coincidence, the dandelion has become the symbol for Forces kids internationally and often features with the verse: “Its seeds are scattered by the wind and it puts down its roots anywhere” – reflecting the frequent moves that are part of armed forces life.

Ms Wyatt added: “For me, The Dandelion Moonscape portrays this sense that wherever we land, we can take strength from those around us. I believe we are here for each other and I hope that by donating this painting we will inspire others to get involved with the RCET and support Armed Forces children in their community.”

Speaking on behalf of the RCET, fundraising manager Matthew Middler said: “This is a wonderful act of kindness and generosity from Jeremy and Lucia. Each year we allocate more than 250 grants to families in need. These help pay for clothing, after-school activities and other educational essentials. The funds raised from the sale of this painting will therefore provide a lifeline for one or several armed service families.”

The Dandelion Moonwalk will feature at the Arthouse Gallery at the MacRobert Arts Centre in Stirling between 1-28 March. All proceeds from the sale of the painting will go to the Royal Caledonian Education Trust.

For more information about the exhibit, visit www.macrobert.org or call the box office on 01786 466666.