A charitable auction of artwork created by a 7-year-old boy whose brother has a cleft lip and palate is to be held at West Kirby Bookshop.
Cormac Holt was born last November, and now his older sibling Coen has decided to fund raise for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) by hosting an art exhibition and silent auction.
The event is taking place on Sunday 3 September from 9:30am – 11am at the shop on Grange Road, with people able to bid for a canvas, or purchase a print or postcard.
“I love my little brother,” said Coen. “I was so excited when I knew I was going to be a big brother. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I found out about his cleft but when he came, I loved him more. I really enjoy playing with him and making him laugh, like when we play balloons together or when I shout ‘Boo!’ and he jumps!
“Doing an exhibition is really exciting. We aim to raise over £1,000 for CLAPA. What excites me most is raising money to help families and babies born with a cleft,” explained Coen. “Babies like Cormac go through so much. I’d like to help any way I can so that CLAPA can help families like ours.”
The charity provides feeding bottles, support groups, and advice to families.
“I don’t remember what he looked like before his first operation, but I do get worried about his surgeries. I don’t like to think of him being in pain or to have the ‘go to sleep medicine’. It’s not nice but I know he’ll be ok in the end.”
Coen has created a series of abstract versions of the sunset in West Kirby: “One day I wanted to draw a picture of the beach, but it looked like a cool sunset, so I did another then I just kept drawing. Then I decided to do them as paintings and now I’m doing an exhibition.”
“I hope people will consider making a donation or buying some art. You have to bid on canvases by writing down your bid on a piece a paper and later you find out if you’re the winner of the canvas! You can also buy prints signed by me, as well as postcards.”
Coen and Cormac’s dad, Michael, said: “CLAPA was there from the moment we found out about Cormac’s cleft, CLAPA gave us reassurance, information, support groups, and a welcome pack.
“It’s such an amazing charity. It is the only UK supplier of specialist bottles and teats for babies born with a cleft. They are even there for kids as they become adults and their needs change.”
For more information about the auction, click here.
Top photo credit: Kate McDonald Photography