Leading artist Alison Lapper MBE, renowned for being the subject of a larger than life sized statue in Trafalgar Square, has teamed up with Cancer Research UK to create a unique photo montage to celebrate the charitys 2007 Race for Life series.
The piece entitled Hearts Of Triumph - depicts images of strength, with a focus on the importance of life and women coming together to beat cancer.
The artwork will be revealed on the Race for Life website on Monday 18th June and is due to go on public display on at Cancer Research UKs Cambridge Research Institute later this month. The charitys latest cancer research facility was opened by Her Majesty The Queen earlier this year and it is hoped the Montage will help to inspire the scientists and research staff working together to beat cancer.
Lapper has had a hugely successful career as a mouth and foot artist, culminating in being awarded a MBE for her achievements in 2003. Using photographs of the people who inspire women to take part in Race for Life - mainly relatives and friends who have been touched by cancer - Lapper has helped created an enduring image of Cancer Research UKs Race for Life series. The photos were contributed by Race for Life participants following an appeal on the charitys website.
Currently in its 14th year, Cancer Research UKs Race for Life, supported by Tesco, continues to be the largest women-only fundraising series. In 2007, it is hoped that £60 million will be raised to help beat cancer by bringing together 800,000 women at 280 events across the UK. The series is already well underway but there are still places available in many of the Race for Life events happening throughout June and July.
Alison Lapper, said: Im delighted to have worked with Cancer Research UK on this unique photo montage. Whilst people often think of me in terms of my own disability, I am the same as everyone else in that Ive lost people close to me to cancer. A very dear friend of mine died of this terrible disease last year.
I used hearts and faces to represent the strength and determination of the women taking part and to highlight the importance of the cause, which sees women from all walks of life taking part and raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Louise Holland, director of national events for Cancer Research UK said: We approached Alison to create the image as shes a truly inspirational female role model as well as a hugely talented artist. Alison has created a stunning image that illustrates so well why Race for Life is such a personal event for so many people."
"With one in three of us being affected by cancer at some stage in our lives, we hope that this inspirational piece of artwork will highlight that together, we will beat the disease
Race for Life events are happening across the country until the end of July. There are still spaces available in many of these. To enter log on to www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134314.
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