Our chain of positivity
The Make a Difference with a Daisy fundraising campaign was inspired by the humble daisy as a symbol of resilience and positivity and was brought to life with the help of our vibrant libraries across Suffolk and our generous supporters.
This campaign, which saw a chain of metal daisies created by artist Spadge Hopkins, have been on display at the Food Museum, Jimmy’s Farm and Somerleyton Hall throughout the summer. It helped to raise almost £27,000 which will go towards cultivating libraries as pillars of the community, offering welcoming spaces with free and fun activities, reaching isolated and vulnerable people through home deliveries, and bringing in new audiences through a variety of outreach programmes.
Spadge Hopkins was one of the featured artists from our previous PAWS-itivity fundraiser, and those that donated received a metal daisy artwork to keep, with many being engraved as a tribute to a loved one.
Our amazing supporters
We’re thrilled to have had the support from Suffolk Libraries patron Emma Freud and her husband Richard Curtis, who both bought metal daisies to help make a difference. Suffolk Libraries has also received support from Jimmy and Michaela Doherty, Lesley Dolphin and Gina Long, as well as Lord and Lady Somerleyton.
Much-loved author Charlie Mackesy also gave his time for a book signing event which raised over £1100, and we were delighted to receive a donation of a painting named “Day’s Eye” by mystery artist, The Hat. This was ultimately auctioned and raised a further £2,500.
From Knit and Natter groups making knitted daisies, to HMP Warren Hill making metal stems for the daisy artworks, and even creative Blank Page workshops for teens - all our library communities got involved with this fundraising initiative.
About Spadge Hopkins
Spadge Hopkins creates on a full time basis, informed by experience gained during a creative career that involved leadership, product design, the music industry and automotive engineering. Currently he tends to work in three dimensions and in metal.
He has been practicing and studying autodidactically, producing varied work since the 1980s. Recent exhibitions include Ipswich, Cambridge and Mayfair as well as Public art in Cambridge, Woodbridge and various outdoor sculpture trails.
Thank you to our sponsors SmartestEnergy for making this campaign possible.
