Butterfly backing from celebs
Celebrities including Tony Blair and Kate Winslet have contributed to a book of butterfly pictures designed in memory of a young Staffordshire woman who died from leukemia.
Celebrities including Tony Blair and Kate Winslet have contributed to a book of butterfly pictures designed in memory of a young Staffordshire woman who died from leukemia.
The Butterfly Book has been compiled by art lecturer and journalist Laura-Jane Foley in memory of her friend Claire Wadley, of Stafford, who died in October 2006 aged 25, after battling leukemia for seven years.
The book, which is being sold to raise money for Leukemia Research, includes sketches, paintings and poems from celebrities including Stephen Fry, Jeffrey Archer, Ricky Gervais, Sophie Dahl and Matthew Williamson.
Claire dedicated much of her time to raising money for Leukemia Research, along with charity Dogs for the Disabled. She loved butterflies and at her funeral, when a butterfly was seen flying in the rafters of the church, it gave her friends and family great hope, and Laura-Jane came up with the idea of creating the book.
Laura-Jane said: "Claire was a wonderful person and I wanted to celebrate her life and continue her fine work raising money for Leukemia Research.
"As an art historian it was natural for me to think about the butterfly image. I decided to write to well-known public figures and invite them to draw, sketch or doodle a picture of a butterfly, enclosing a piece of card with each letter.
"Claire's story touched so many people and I was overwhelmed by the response. It has been so touching that so many people have found the time to contribute to this project. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair in his last weeks of office contributed something.
"Blair didn't feel able to draw a butterfly but he wanted to do something for Claire. One evening in May 2007 he went to a dinner and when he saw silk butterflies used as a table display he remembered about The Butterfly Book.
"He asked if he could take one away so he could send it in memory of Claire. I think Claire would have liked the fact that the busiest and most important man in Britain was thinking about her over dinner!"
Claire's parents, Stephen and Kathleen Wadley, who live in Stafford, said they were delighted with the book. Stephen said: "We're thrilled with The Butterfly Book and extremely grateful to Laura-Jane for all her hard work.
"Claire is always close to our thoughts and this book is a lovely way to remember her and raise vital funds for Leukemia Research. Claire's treatment kept her with us for several years and we owe that to the families who were raising money long before us."
The Butterfly Book by Laura-Jane Foley, includes butterfly images, poems and messages from famous names and is available for £25. A limited edition book costs £100 and includes one piece of original artwork submitted. All profits from book sales go to the Claire Elizabeth Wadley Forget Me Not Fund for Leukemia Research.
To find out more, or to buy the Butterfly Book visit www.thebutterflybook.co.uk or email info@thebutterflybook.co.uk
