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Charity art auction to support children in Nepal

John Bray
BBC News, West Midlands
Reporting fromRoyal Leamington Spa
New Futures Nepal A group of 34 people, many of them children, with a pink flag promoting the Nirmala Foundation in NepalNew Futures Nepal
Andrew Small, third from right, met youngsters in Nepal last year

A charity which supports disadvantaged children and young adults living in the shadows of the Himalayas is looking to raise funds with an art auction.

New Futures Nepal, which is based in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, has been running for 20 years.

It was set up by Andrew Small who learned about a centre for orphaned and disabled children in Kathmandu while he was trekking in one of the world's poorer countries.

"Nepal changed my life forever," said Mr Small, who created the charity to help youngsters in Nepal to find jobs and homes.

John Bray A semi derelict stately home with green trees and a green field in the foregroundJohn Bray
The art event and dinner takes place on Saturday 14 June in the grounds of Guys Cliffe House, near Warwick

Mr Small said he was "impressed" by how many Midlands artists had agreed to provide pieces of work for the auction.

"With help and support, many of our youngsters go on to find jobs and a home and are able to give back to their community. So any contribution makes such a difference," he said.

There are dozens of different artworks in the auction, which closes on the day of the fundraising dinner.

Alan Reullier A collage of nine black and red Minis around an original design drawing. The artist has included red and purple stripes on the image.Alan Reullier
Artist Alan Reullier has reimagined original engineering drawings from archives at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon

Also taking part is French artist Alan Reullier, whose latest work centres on the heritage of the motor industry in the Midlands.

He has a collection of original drawings from British Motor Heritage Ltd, dating from the early 1900s to the 1970s, which were being digitised and couldn't be stored.

He took ownership of them on the proviso that they could not be resold in their original form, so he reimagined them, turning them into pieces of artwork that have been sold around the world.

"I'm delighted to help New Futures Nepal," he said. "Children should always have access to education and care wherever they are in the world. The charity is doing valuable work and I hope all these artistic contributions will make a huge difference."

James Ort A man in a grey t-shirt and beige shorts sat on an orange sofa. Behind him on a grey wall are several pieces of carved animal art including a bear, rhino, seals and birdsJames Ort
James Ort The head of a wooden carved snow leopard James Ort
James Ort works in ceramics from a studio in Oxfordshire. He has created two works of art especially for this auction which are both native to Nepal - a red panda and snow leopard.
Mr Ort says he has seen how art can help people across the world. "Wherever I go, I find that art is a good way of getting to know a country. It's also a way of getting people more connected."
New Futures Nepal A young Nepalese girl in a blue tracksuit top carrying a rucksack New Futures Nepal
New Futures Nepal looks to "empower disadvantaged children and adults of Nepal by raising funds for initiatives that promote health, education and independence"
New Futures Nepal Nineteen children in white T-shirts with a print on have brightly coloured Holi paint on their hands and facesNew Futures Nepal
"Each of our projects has a different dimension," said charity chairman Andrew Small

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