Young Devon artist raising funds

A young artist from Wembury, Devon, known as EgoSumArt, is raising funds for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) through sales of his unique, hand painted coasters and sailing boats, in memory of the relative he never got to meet.

The items are being sold at the National Trust owned Old Mill Café in Wembury with 10% of the sale price being generously donated to the charity.

EgoSumArt, who has already exhibited among the likes of David Hockney and Damien Hurst, explained, “In 1996, my father’s cousin Rebecca Little, was suddenly rushed to hospital and diagnosed with meningitis after returning from university. Tragically she did not survive. I never met Becky, but I can see that after over 20 years she’s still sadly missed, and her illness and death has had a profound effect on her immediate and extended family.

“I know how devastating meningitis can be. I really want young people and especially students at universities in Plymouth and Exeter to be aware of the disease. That’s why I’m supporting Meningitis Research Foundation who campaign and raise awareness of the disease.”

Rob Dawson, Director of Support at MRF said, “We are saddened to hear of Rebecca’s story and we are grateful to EgoSumArt for raising funds for MRF in her memory. These vital funds will help to continue our research, awareness and support programmes.

“Teenagers and young adults are a high risk age group for meningitis and septicaemia. University students are particularly at risk because they mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the meningitis bacteria. The MenACWY vaccination programme was introduced for teenagers in 2015 to stop a rapid rise in cases of MenW. We’re encouraging everyone to check their eligibility and book an appointment with their GP for the MenACWY vaccine. Most teenagers and young people up to the age of 22 can get the vaccine free as well as first year university students up to the age of 25.”

Check your eligibility for the vaccine at: www.meningitis.org/oneshot.

Following in the footsteps of Turner and Reynolds, EgoSumArt takes inspiration from the iconic surrounding South Hams landscape and utilises different mediums, to create and construct paintings, drawings and photographs, film, music and verse.

For more information about EgoSumArt, visit www.EgoSumArt.co.uk.

Read Rebecca’s story at: www.meningitis.org/the-book-of-experience/rebecca-little

The Old Mill Café is a family run enterprise that has been supporting EgoSumArt since 2016.