Joanna's Drawathon
In memory of: Christine Brock
£1,250.00 raised of £1,000.00 target
29 donations
My Target:
£1,000.00
£1,250.00 raised so far
How to make a donation
Donate online at - www.justgiving.com/Joanna-Moore-draws
By mobile internet Scan this code on your smartphone to go straight to Joanna Moore's page.
By text message to donate £10 Text £10
to 70070
My story
Just over six months my Grandmother, Christine Brock, a.k.a. ‘Granny Town’ (indeed we were fortunate grandchildren to have had a ‘Granny Seaside’ too), passed away.
Her death was also her release from Alzheimer’s, which had frustrated her last years, and haunted our family as we watched an energetic, cheerful and loving individual slip away from us and recess into a shell of a woman.
As is often the case, after her death I found out more about her, and wished I’d been able to ask her more questions about her life, her experiences, her enthusiasms. I’d known that she’d trained at the Regent Street Polytechnic before becoming a seamstress near Regent Street, for her nimble fingers kept my sister and I in hand-made dresses as children. I hadn’t known that (after having children) she had re-trained as social worker for the blind, and would take long buses up from south London to Mile End and Stepney to work with the visually-impaired. I often think of her work as I wander around my own necks of the East End. She often sketched, used watercolours, embroidered and knitted in her spare time and I now long to ask her about how precious her talents were to her after the experience of helping people with limited or no visibility.
Before she became ill, she was always asking to see my sketchbook. I’m only sorry that by the time I had the courage to commit to art and produce drawings on a regular basis she was already bed-bound in a home and unable to recognise her family, let alone give me a critique which, with her creative eyes, would have been so rewarding. On a good day when the ‘fog’ wasn’t so heavy, a frail and contorted figure in a bed was still just able to turn the pages of my sketchbook, and point and gesture at my drawings. Her words were incomprehensible, but she appeared to recognise the pictures for what they were, and as her skinny fingers traced my lines her murmurs would dip and rise in tone, her eyes would scan the paper, and for a tantalising moment, I would recognise my grandmother.
So many people have carefully and more eloquently written about this degenerative disease that I don’t feel I can add more. I can only say that from my own perspective that Alzheimer’s seems to be one of the cruellest diseases for both the sufferer and, as it irreversibly develops, the loved ones who find themselves with a living ghost.
On March 28(when Christine would have turned 85) I will be staging a Drawathon, or Drawing Marathon, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. The Society gave my family invaluable support during such a difficult time, and as well as caring for families and sufferers of the disease they are the leading researchers into dementia. Drawing is what I do and the skill I can offer, so it seems more appropriate than climbing a mountain or cycling a bike through Europe. It also feels right given the pleasure Granny Town took in drawing, and that the act of drawing is a mentally stimulating activity, the kind of exercise for the brain advocated by scientists to stave of the disease.
A drawing by Granny of her cat
Studies of Grandad doing the crossword, as drawn by Granny
Grandad doing the crossword, as drawn by me, October 2011
I will set out early, with sketchbook, stool and thermos, and draw all over the City, fending off tourists, gangs of schoolchildren and people stumbling out of the pubs in the evening. Allowing for breaks, I will complete 12 hours of intense drawing throughout the day till night. I would be grateful for every pound that I can raise, and I’d like to give something back. Sponsors who pledge £10 and over will receive a small limited-edition reproduction print of the best drawing of the day. I’m also seeking generous souls to recommended a site within or close to the City of London, and stump up £50. In return, they will receive the original drawing/painting done on the location of their choice. All the money raised will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.
My gallery 2
My charity
Alzheimer's Society
Charity Registration No. 296645
The Alzheimer's Society is the leading UK care and research charity for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their families and carers. To find out more about fundraising for the Society log on to www.alzheimers.org.uk
Donations 29
Hi Jo - I wondered if you could find a City of London police horse to sketch? The stable manager is Rachel.jenkinson 020 7601 2164
Donation by James Green on 23/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Hi Jo, Please could I have a drawing of the Shell building seen on the right as you travel north over Hungerford bridge? Thanks, Andrew.
Donation by Andrew Brock on 23/01/12
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
What a fantastic idea. My Father suffers from Alzheimer's disease so I am very happy to support your venture. Your Granny would be proud...
Donation by elaine barkshire on 22/01/12
£50.00
Terrific, Jo!
Donation by Martin H on 22/01/12
£25.00
+ £6.25 Gift Aid
For my dear father in a care home at 73 with Alzheimers, who should be roaming the world from Antarctica to Orkney in his tent as he was 7 years ago.
Donation by Linda Maggs on 22/01/12
£25.00
+ £6.25 Gift Aid
People always laughed at me when I said my wrist hurt from overexertion...
Donation by Alex Williamson on 21/01/12
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
Wonderful idea Jo! Hope the fingers and eyes keep working. May we have an illustration of the Prudential Building in Holborn EC1
Donation by Fiona Walker on 21/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Really touched by your story. This is such a great fundraising idea, I wish you every success. Your Granny would be very proud of you am sure!
Donation by Sally Lloyd on 21/01/12
£10.00
Great to see you raising for a fantastic cause. Good luck and will hopefully be able to come and see your work someday.
Donation by Stephen Tindale on 20/01/12
£20.00
A great idea for a great cause. Good luck - can't wait to see pictures of this portfolio! Amanda
Donation by Amanda Sinden on 20/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
In memory of your granny and of my mother who had dementia and died just before Christmas. I'd love sketch of the City skyline from Waterloo Bridge
Donation by Paul Batho on 20/01/12
Hi Jo, Good luck on the day. Love K&S
Donation by Simon Brock on 19/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Keep drawing. One day we might all meet up for a sticky cake again. Thomas
Donation by Anonymous on 16/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Donation by Philip Venning on 16/01/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Wonderful cause, way for all of us to remember loved ones afflicted by this. If time permits I would like a drawing of the Beigal Bake in Brick lane.
Donation by Scott Simon on 16/01/12
£50.00
Probably the last time with f-i-law this w/end due to Alzheimers. Heart-breaking. Good luck with putting your awesome talents to work for this cause.
Donation by Sally Prosser on 16/01/12
£20.00
Donation by Anonymous on 15/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
What a wonderful and touching tribute, Jo, for such a worthy cause. All the very best xx
Donation by Cara McCabe on 15/01/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Wonderful idea. If you have time a drawing of the building on the corner of Whitechapel Rd & Davenant St - my Gt/Gt/Grandfather's bookshop in 1888.!
Donation by Robert Gladding on 15/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
What a brilliant idea. I would love to suggest a site if I may. Please just eMail me at your convenience if i am not too late ! Thanks
Donation by Mick Oldham on 15/01/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
This is on behalf of Grandad, as he doesn't have the internet. He would like Wesley's Chapel, 49 City Rd if it's within range. Mx
Donation by Ruth Moore on 14/01/12
£50.00
What a lovely way to remember your Granny. . Beautifully thought out. All the best. A drawing around The Globe Theatre, if possible.
Donation by Diana Evans on 13/01/12
What an original and lovely way to raise money in memory of your Granny. Good luck!
Donation by Sarah Bays on 13/01/12
£15.00
+ £3.75 Gift Aid
Thank you, Jo. Granny would be very proud!
Donation by Ruth Moore on 13/01/12
£100.00
+ £25.00 Gift Aid
What a wonderful way to remember your Granny. Good luck! With very best wishes
Donation by Katrina Covill on 13/01/12
£10.00
Donation summary
- * Online donations£1,250.00
- Offline donations£0.00
- Text donations£0.00
- Total raised£1,250.00
- Gift Aid£243.75
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
