The idea of this SHINE cancer support exhibition came about while Ginny (Neil's Granny) and Gill (Neil's Aunty) were chatting one day with Neil when he was visiting his family in Inverness.
NEIL
' I’m 26 and from Inverness originally, but live in London. In November 2016 I started to feel dizzy and got vertigo episodes which were very debilitating. I eventually was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I went in for surgery and was terrified. It all went well and after 7 days I was released from hospital. Then 16 days after my surgery I was told the tumour had been cancerous and that I would have to have 6 and a half weeks of radiotherapy.
It was really tough and the recovery took a long time. After all my treatment I had severe depression and anxiety. It’s been really difficult to realise I probably won’t ever be the same person as I was. However, cancer has left me with a massive sense of empathy and a need to help others.
My family have been amazing in supporting me through this and I don’t know where I would be without them. They can see how much Shine has helped me and that is why I think they want to give back to Shine.'
GINNY-Granny
“I have been making assemblages (wall hangings) out of found objects and recycled materials for some time and have thought recently that I would exhibit them for a charity.
When my grandson Neil was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the age of 26 he became involved with a charity called SHINE which helps and supports young cancer recoverers.
This charity has made a huge difference to Neil’s life; he has met other young people in the same situation as himself, social events are arranged for them, advice about coping with their changed lives, and on getting back into work.
I therefore would like to do something to help them, and also to publicise the work they do, hence the idea of selling my art works for this charity.”
‘Shine Cancer Support
is the only charity in the United Kingdom that is exclusively focused on
supporting men and women in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have had a cancer
diagnosis. Shine is run by people who have first-hand experience of cancer. We work to identify the unmet needs of people in this age
group, and to develop innovative solutions that help them live their
lives to the fullest’