Unique Land Rover painting to be auctioned for Troop Aid charity
A truly unique painting depicting nine different Land Rovers and Defenders in various combat roles is to be auctioned at the 10th Troop Aid Ball on Saturday 19th November 2016 – with the proceeds going to help support injured troops.
The painting has been signed by the artist, Stuart Spencer and endorsed by the CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Dr Ralf Speth.
Solihull artist Stuart Spencer spent most of his career as Jaguar’s Whitley Design Studio Manager, on the outskirts of Coventry.
He said: “I have always enjoyed painting, cars especially, and each year I try to give something back to a charity. I heard about the work of Troop Aid some years ago and when I realised that the charity’s 10th Anniversary Ball coincided with the end of the Defender production, I felt there was the idea for this year’s painting.
“The charity is one of the most genuine ones I know and I am very much on board with their work in supporting our injured service men and women.”
Speaking for Troop Aid the charity’s Chairman Al Sutton said: “We are thrilled and so grateful that Stuart has chosen to make this very special gift to Troop Aid. The detail on his painting is absolutely incredible.
“When Dr Speth signed the finished painting, he commented to me that he hoped it would raise a lot of money for Troop Aid. So do we!”
The painting is acrylic on canvas board and the unframed painting measures 30 inches (76 cm) x 20 inches (50 cm).
It will be auctioned at the Troop Aid Ball on Saturday 19th November at the Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich Spa, WR9 0BN. A booking form for the Ball is available from the charity’s website http://troopaid.info/events.html
If anyone is interested in bidding for the painting but is not able to attend the Ball, a sealed bid process will be operating until Saturday 12th November 2016. All bids must contain the name, address and telephone number of the bidder and should be sent to the Troop Aid office at 21 Radway Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4NR.
A registered charity, Troop Aid’s patron is HRH The Prince of Wales.
Troop Aid is funded by donations and receives no government support. Anyone interested in finding out more and to learn how they might offer support – telephone 0121 711 7215 or go to the website www.troopaid.info
* Troop Aid Grab Bag
When service personnel are injured either on training exercise or in combat they return to the United Kingdom without their personal effects or clothing.
Troop Aid supplies them with the ‘basic essentials’ in a Grab Bag.
Items in the Grab Bag include T-shirt and shorts, washing and shaving kit, towel, face flannel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower mules, socks and underwear. The charity also makes up Grab Bags for injured female service personnel.
In addition to this emergency pack Troop Aid also supplies on demand to the injured service personnel many other items of clothing and footwear such as tracksuits, hoodies, fleeces and trainers.
The charity deals directly with the Defence Medical Welfare Service and other military medical establishments in the UK where there is a need.
Grab Bags are currently being sent around the world and are being used in the Field Hospitals in Cyprus and Kenya, Canada and Germany, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Medical Centre ITC Catterick Garrison and MDHU Northallerton.
It costs £30.00 to make up one Grab Bag.
(Picture: L-R – Stuart Spencer and Troop Aid Chairman Al Sutton with the painting to be auctioned at the Troop Aid Ball).