I lost my dear Stepfather Tim who had brought me up all my life to Bowel Cancer in 2009 at the age of fifty five.

It was a long battle, which started in 2005, our prayers were answered and Tim's Cancer went onto remission that year, but sadly returned in 2008. Tim had always encouraged me with my creativity and his quirky personality and humor really helped shape my personality and my artistic perception. 

I was in my final year at university when Tim became very ill. I blocked out what was going on by distracting my self with Artwork for my Textile degree (it was very much my therapy through this tough time and strangely enough the stress and trauma of the situation helped me develop some of my strongest work- the characters which I found myself illustrating looked so innocent and 'sweet' so far away from my own pain of what was going on around me).

Now I really want to use my Art as a way to help others who have suffered from this illness and raise funds for 'Beating Bowel Cancer' & 'Breast Cancer Care', to help them continue their fantastic work.

I have been raising money and awareness for Beating Bowel Cancer by creating a roll of 'Interactive Wallpaper' on which all of the characters have been drawn by hand. I have held a number of workshops in galleries and spaces across London including Kentish Town Health Centre, Debut Contemporary Gallery and CGP Gallery.

Children and adults alike are given the opportunity to add to and personalise the characters and so leave their mark on a piece of Community Artwork. This Wallpaper will be exhibited at 'Free Space gallery' (Kentish Town Health Centre) in February 2015 and eventually be sold with profits being split between 'Breast Cancer Care' & 'Beating Bowel Cancer'.

I would love for you to get involved in this project by naming a character on the wallpaper. The character could be named after yourself, a loved one, or someone you would like to honour who has fought Cancer. I will paint your special person's name next to a chosen character on the paper for any amount you wish to donate.

Or for a suggested donation of 15 Pounds (which could provide three bowel cancer patients with a ‘Just Diagnosed’ information pack) I will illustrate them on the wallpaper as tribute to those who have passed away or beaten this illness. e-mail an image of your loved one over to me at veronica_rowlands@hotmail.co.uk and I will send you a photo of the character within a week.


All the donations received will go to Beating Bowel Cancer so that they can continue to raise awareness of bowel cancer and support patients