# On offer – a Craigie Aitchison or a Night at the Opera - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/10/05/offer-craigie-aitchison-or-night-opera/ - Published: 2006-10-05T13:25:08+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake October 5th 2006 – A new Craigie Aitchison painting – ‘Naaotwa’ – with a retail value of £22,000, is just one of the glamorous and desirable lots up for auction at the Elizabeth Finn Care Fundraising Auction on Wednesday November 1st at the Reform Club, Pall Mall, London, from 6 p.m. Craigie Aitchison produced the work earlier this year and is one of four painted for his forthcoming show at the Waddington Gallery, Cork Street, London, from November 20th until January 10th 2007. Also coming under the hammer at the auction will be the opportunity to win a private commission of a triptych by Clare Shenstone, or a portrait by Sophie Stempel, perhaps go home with some bespoke jewellery, or indulge in an exotic night at the Venetian opera – just some of the exciting lots up for auction. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) To fire the imagination of potential bidders, the triptych by Clare Shenstone – famed for her portraits of Francis Bacon – might show members of the family of the lucky bidder, while a portrait by Freud’s one-time model, Sophie de Stempel could be a fun opportunity for the successful bidder to capture themselves – or maybe a favourite aunt, perhaps a pet – for posterity. On the night The Right Hon Ann Widdecombe MP will be lending a hand to Mark Poltimore, the UK Chairman of Sotheby’s, who will be hosting the event and ensuring fair play as each of the lots go under the hammer. All the lots have been donated at no cost to Elizabeth Finn Care to ensure that every penny raised goes towards the charity’s annual £2m disbursement of funds and practical support. Every year the charity makes a significant and lasting difference to the lives of over 2400 people whose careers have been interrupted or ended through physical or mental problems, loss of work, and family breakdown, by helping them meet their basic costs of living, and improving their mobility. The lots include: · Craigie Aitchison’s ‘Naaotwa’ · A commissioned triptych by Clare Shenstone · A painting by Maggi Hambling, one of the artist’s ‘wave breaking’ scenes · A commissioned portrait by Sophie de Stempel, Prince of Wales Foundation · Bespoke jewellery by Peter Page, created from a solid gold ingot by the internationally- acclaimed jewellery designer · ‘A Night at the Opera’ – a box at Teatro La Fenice, Venice, donated by Marina Morrison Atwater, Italian media owner · A box for ten for a Night at the BBC Proms, donated by Brian Kingham, member of the Court of Brunel University, and the CBI Council. Tickets to the event cost £55 which includes a Champagne reception at 6 p.m., followed by the auction at 7.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained by calling 020 7396 6695, visiting www.elizabethfinn.org.uk/auction, or by email – au*****@***************rg.uk Sponsors of the event include Sotheby’s, Farrers & Co, Arbuthnot Latham, Waitrose, the Fine Art Society, and Golley Slater. NOTES TO EDITORS · For further information or to receive an application form for help, please contact the charity on Freephone 0800 413 220 or visit www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk The charity’s remit in the UK: 3.8 m living in poverty Research conducted by The Future Foundation for Elizabeth Finn Care shows that 3.8m people in the UK from solid career backgrounds are pushed into poverty as a result of sudden, life-changing events such as illness, redundancy, family breakdown or poor pension provision. And it’s a growing problem: by 2020 one in ten adults in the UK will have fallen into the poverty trap and would qualify for help from the Elizabeth Finn Care. Who the charity supports: Elizabeth Finn Care offers financial assistance and emotional support to British and Irish people of all ages and their immediate families, from over 120 different occupational groups, who can no longer manage on a low income or inadequate pension. Among the people forced into poverty are former teachers, nurses, PAs and secretaries, journalists, artists, farmers, clergy, solicitors and accountants, civil servants and retired Service men and women, all struggling to keep their heads above water on meagre incomes, means-tested benefits or very small occupational pensions. Getting a breathing space from poverty – how the charity helps people in need: Thanks to donations, legacies and local fundraising, the charity can help people by giving a weekly allowance, that can boost basic income support by a third. grants for help with disability equipment, emergency repairs such as a leaking roof or broken boiler and replacing a broken fridge, washing machine, kettle or toaster. Local Authority top-up fees for residents of private nursing homes. Most importantly the charity’s beneficiaries have peace of mind knowing they can contact their dedicated caseworker when facing a domestic crisis, and trained volunteers will visit to ensure beneficiaries are receiving all the help available. * **[Children from St Michael's Church Of England School learn how to put each other into the recovery position](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/10/10/children-st-michael039s-church-england-school-learn-how-put-each-other-recovery-position/)**( 10 October 2006) * **[CRUCIAL EDUCATION](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/10/10/crucial-education/)**( 10 October 2006) * **[Call for voluntary sector to prepare for Get on Board trustee campaign](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/10/10/call-voluntary-sector-prepare-get-board-trustee-campaign/)**( 10 October 2006)