Oxfordshire hospice raising money with postcard art exhibition
Dame Judi Dench has taken part in the exhibition in previous years
Last updated 10th Feb 2025
An Oxfordshire hospice is encouraging people to get involved in this year's artistic postcard exhibition to raise money for nurses’ and healthcare professionals to access further training and develop.
The exhibition, called My Lovely Postcards, is in memory of Beth Foreman who passed away at Sobell House Hospice in 2016 aged 32, after battling bowel cancer.
"It’s the kind of thing that anyone can get involved in"
Her family started the fund which has raised nearly £90,000 since it was set up in 2017.
Director of Fundraising, Beth Marsh said: “I speak with Neil, Beth's father quite a lot, and I think it really does mean something to them to be able to do this in her memory. They are a very artistic family, so it's just a lovely thing for them to do.”
Over the years, there have been some very famous names taking part in the exhibition, such as Dame Judi Dench.
Ms Marsh said: “Dame Judy Dench provided a painting for us and Paul Chahidi, an amazing actor, did on for us as well as he's one of our ambassadors.
“So, hopefully this year we'll have a few celebrities submitting their fantastic, talented artwork to us as well.”
Artists and members of the public have until 4 April to submit a postcard to the My Lovely Postcards exhibition and auction.
Ms Marsh said: “It's really wonderful and there's such a range of drawings, paintings and colleges and everything gets sold. We've not had a year where we've had a painting left that hasn't been sold.
“I think there's always something for everyone. And it's not just people who are professional artists, it’s the kind of thing that anyone can get involved in.”
The money raised will be used by nurses and healthcare professionals to access further training and develop skills to continually improve standards and services within palliative care.
Ms Marsh says, “it's not money that they will be able to access elsewhere. So, this is training that they may have to go without or fund personally.
“It can help with communication skills, supporting people living with bereavement or psychological skills - there's such a range of courses and conferences”.