PLEASE HELP "The Hannah Meredith Foundation" raise money.

HELP!

An exhibition of sculpture, painting ,photography and works on paper

at Gallery Different, 14, Percy Street, London

November 7^th to the 13^th 2011.

As a direct response to the sad loss of Amy Winehouse, sculptors Guy Portelli, David Begbie and Gallery Directors Karina and Neil Phillips and Eva Begbie have organised an arts charity event to raise money for The Hannah Meredith Foundation (THMF).  This is an emerging, grassroots charity inspired by a teenage girl’s tragic death from heroin and focused on working with families like the Winehouses that are dealing with the loss of a loved one through substance misuse. THMF also supports friends and families of those that are struggling with their loved ones’ addiction - in addition to educating young people. Since its formation, the mission of THMF has been to improve quality of life through a balance between support groups, drugs education and the provision of quality services in response to the unique needs of individuals and families affected by addiction. 

The prestigious Gallery DIFFERENT in London’s, Fitzrovia will be showing an exhibition that reflects the creative synergy between art and music.  All works will be for sale and a third of the proceeds will go to THMF, to support its work in developing The Jade Project (Jump-starting Adolescence/Adults Drugs Education) programme. THMF offers tailored support and also aims to provide family & adolescence therapy especially where mental health and substance misuse needs are identified.

“For me personally I owe a great debt to Amy. From the point when I created the Amy Winehouse sculpture ‘Excess’ my world changed, and doors opened that were once closed. My invitation to be on Dragons Den, and the offer of money from Theo Paphitis,  James Caan and Peter Jones, was a direct response to the Amy sculpture, ... so thank you Amy.

 The Amy sculpture is in my opinion one of the iconic pieces of my pop icon collection, and the sad news left me thinking how best to use the sculpture in a positive way. For me harnessing the energy of my art, and the art of some of my colleagues, who have found art to be a positive influence in their lives was the obvious way.

 It was not easy to find a drugs related charity that had the focus on young people and it came as a surprise to me to discover that there isn’t one rehab clinic for young people in the UK yet research shows over 20,000 young people in the UK are addicted to drugs”.  

  

Guy Portelli VPRBA FRBS

“When Guy approached us with his suggestion of an event of this nature the gallery was keen to give its support and whilst being sensitive to the immense personal loss this is to Amy Winehouse’s family and friends, we feel that supporting the work of the Hannah Meredith Foundation is a fitting way to commemorate her passing and we believe that the exhibition will be a celebration of Amy’s artistic and creative influence, which transcended the world of music, was truly inspirational and has left a worldwide legacy.”

Karina Phillips, DIFFERENT

“I am a big fan of Amy Winehouse and her music and was shocked and saddened by her premature death.

‘HELP ME IF YOU CAN I’M FEELING DOWN’ (Lennon & McCartney)

 I know from experience that there is no medical cure for addiction to anything – only abstinence and even abstinence can be a danger to an addict if the addiction has already wreaked its damage.  It seems that in the end Amy Winehouse may have died from abstaining from the alcohol and drugs which ravished her mind and body and destroyed that delicate chemical balance which all life needs in order to survive.

‘I CAN’T HELP YOU IF YOU DON’T HELP YOURSELF’ (Amy Winehouse)

Prevention is the only cure… Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, private clinics and the NHS can only offer guidance and management for addiction.  Amy’s desire for euphoria led to her ultimate oblivion – as in so many cases - yet it may have been prevented if it had not been assumed that this was simply inevitable.  As a surviving alcoholic who has abstained now for over 15 years I know how unstoppable the forces of addiction can be.   That is why I am very enthusiastic to support The Hannah Meredith Foundation and its pre-emptive and grass roots approach.”

David Begbie ARBS

 Hannah Meredith, a much loved daughter, sister & niece, died on October 20, 2009, two months before her 18th birthday, after a heroin OD.  Hannah’s aunt Lisa Moore was inspired to set up THMF after reading a letter Hannah wrote ‘Dear Heroin’. Lisa felt a huge sense of responsibility to fulfil Hannah’s dream of steering children away from drugs so that other families would not have to suffer as hers had. Hannah hated what she did to her own family. Families of drug or alcohol abusers go through a lot of painful feelings as they struggle with their loved ones’ addiction. Feelings of helplessness, failure, and shame are common in these situations, and often families question where they went wrong as they don’t know how to fix it. Sometimes these family members are overlooked, while help is being offered to the person with the drug or alcohol problem. This is why THMF exists!

Lisa Moore aged 42 said: “Losing a loved one to drug addiction turns family life into a perpetual state of torment, with a million questions and no answers. We will never get over what happened to Hannah, but I hope that through the foundation, we can at least help prevent some other families from suffering in the same way we have. This can be her legacy, a legacy she truly wanted, as her letter to heroin so clearly showed.” See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7311207/Drug-addicts-letter-to-heroin-published-after-her-death.html 

THMF’s first support group was launched on July 25, 2011 in order to help support families like the Winehouses as well as those who are living with their loved ones’ addiction. Through the group we aim to provide: EMOTIONAL SUPPORT where friends and families of substance misusers can share their experiences in a safe environment, learn coping strategies from each other and combat stress. PRACTICAL SUPPORT where we share information on and signpost other agencies that provide specialist support within the local area. ADVOCACY where families have someone to speak on their behalf.

The Jade Project (both Hannah & Amy share this same middle name) is in its developmental stages. Once fully funded, its aim is to train individuals as prevention specialists to deliver a wide-ranging drugs education programme to children and young people by approaching local education authorities, children’s services, colleges, universities and every service that works with young people, with a view to using Hannah’s legacy to help prevent further tragedies. THMF will also look to work with parents who want to tackle drug issues with their children, ensuring a united family approach.

Addiction has no preference to age, gender, race or status, when there's an addict in the family, whether it is a child, sibling or parent EVERYONE SUFFERS. Addiction is a progressive illness, often it is so crippling that family members suffer as much as the addict, family members often lose themselves along the way. THMF relies on the generosity of others to enable us to provide support, your HELP is crucial to our work.

The Hannah Meredith Foundation

12 Cwrt Naiad, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA15 2LD.

Email: thehannahmeredithfoundation@yahoo.co.uk

Contact: Lisa Moore

Website: www.thehannahmeredithfoundation.org.uk                                                                                                    The website is under construction and will be online in the next few weeks.

Please HELP make this event a fitting tribute to Amy Winehouse and Hannah Meredith and to make a contribution to the understanding of addiction as well as financially benefitting the THMF

For further information, images or interviews please contact:

Karina Phillips

Gallery DIFFERENT 14 Percy Street, London W1T 1DR T:0207 637 3775 

E: help@gallerydifferent.co.uk  W: www.gallerydifferent.co.uk