Art exhibition held in Tonbridge for new thyroid charity

A NEW charity to help those with thyroid problems has had a helping hand from funds raised at an art exhibition in Tonbridge last week.

The two-day exhibition at Tonbridge School featuring local artists began last Friday to raise money for Thyroid UK.

"It really was brilliant," said the event's organiser, Jane Duesterberg. "We had a preview viewing on Friday, which was really good.

"We had a steady flow of people all day on Saturday."

She said the artwork displayed had been of "very high quality", with local professional artists including Wendy Asprey and Cécile Boswell Brown.

With original art pieces displayed on Friday, she said on Saturday prints were added to the collection of exhibits.

Mrs Duesterberg said while the total was yet to be calculated, the event had raised several hundred pounds for Thyroid UK, which has just been registered as a charity.

She said the charity was a support group for those with a thyroid problem, for example those whose medication was not working effectively or those who had just been diagnosed with the condition.

"People with a thyroid problem lose quite a lot of motivation as their metabolism changes," said Mrs Duesterberg.

Mrs Duesterberg thanked Tonbridge School for helping with the event and vehicle leasing company Ton Hire for donating a van.

For more information on Thyroid UK visit its website at www.thyroiduk.org