What We Do
We aim to enrich the lives of children and young people with life limiting conditions in hospices through the creative, performing and literary Arts, enabling individual expression, creativity and communication.
We believe that the Arts can benefit a wide-spectrum of disorders, diseases and disabilities and may help reduce pain, anxiety, and tension which seriously ill or disabled children may experience .
We recognize that families may also derive great benefit from the Arts and aim to provide sessions with their children and events arranged especially for parents, carers and siblings of children in hospices. Caring for a child with a life-limiting or progressive condition can be demanding and stressful; involvement in the Arts may also improve the quality of life of their families by helping people improve their mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.
In addition to our volunteer teams, we work with Arts professionals, developing contacts with individuals and organizations who can help us to bring the Arts to hospices. We support art and music therapists and artists in residence by identifying areas where we can help; our volunteers may work closely with them in arts, crafts, music and drama sessions.
To find out more about our work,please return to the Home page and click on the buttons for the various Arts, which will take you to dedicated pages for each discipline. Page Top
Who We Are
chART Children’s Hospice Arts is governed by a board of Trustees who ensure that the Trust is administered effectively and that our charitable outcomes are delivered. All of us at chART work voluntarily.
The chART Trustees are all experienced fund-raisers, which includes working for children’s charities. Our experience has shown us that there is a need for further funding to bring more diverse Arts experiences to children’s hospices and their families, hence founding chART.
The Charity Commission for England & Wales don’t require small charities with an annual income of less than £5000 to register; however, we still benefit from having charitable status and follow the Commission’s requirements and guidelines. We are members of the Small Charities Coalition and CTN, the Trustee Network. Page Top
The Trustees
Jackie Hassall Chairperson
“It's an honour to work with my chART co-founders and dear friends, Carol and Suzanne, as we aim to help children and young people in hospices through the Arts. I hope to use my background in Early Years and Primary education to provide broad and varied Arts based experiences for these children and their families. Carol, Suzanne and I share the same work ethics and determination to ensure that chART will deliver its aims. I promise to put my heart and soul into bringing the Arts to children with life-limiting conditions”.
Suzanne Price Treasurer
“chART– what a charity to have co-founded with two wonderful ladies who have hearts of gold, passion and determination! We are friends as well as colleagues and work so well together. Working to help children with life limiting conditions in hospices, and their families, is humbling and I will do whatever it takes to make a difference. Being a breast cancer survivor, helps me to understand some of the emotions and anxieties these children and families go through; surviving the disease has made me live life to the full, change my priorities and always make time for others. I have been involved in fund-raising for over ten years- this is where I am happiest!”
Carol Bromley Secretary
“I’m delighted to be part of this dedicated team, including close friends, Jackie and Suzanne, as we work to bring the Arts into lives of children and young people in hospices. I bring twenty years voluntary experience in fund-raising for children’s causes, a love of the Arts and a background in design and education to chART. I’m very happy to be assuming responsibility for the Literary Arts, being an aspiring author!
We are also committed to ensuring that parents/carers and siblings of children with progressive and life-shortening conditions benefit from our support. We’d love you to join us in working to enrich the lives of these families and their children.”
The Team Leaders
The Trustees are very much involved in all of chART's activities,including responsibility for specific Arts disciplines as Team Leaders:-
Art & Design: Carol Bromley
Crafts: Lauren Bromley
Film & Photography: Suzanne Price
Literary Arts: Carol Bromley
Music: Suzanne Price & Jackie Hassall
Theatre & Dance: Jackie Hassall
Lauren Bromley Crafts Team Leader
Lauren is a professional ceramicist and illustrator, currently based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She graduated with a BA (Hons,Ist) in Three Dimensional Design with Ceramics from UCA in 2010. Lauren is involved in the whole spectrum of the Arts; she is keen to use her skills and develop her experience in working with children of all ages and abilities and their families. An experienced volunteer, Lauren has been involved in many fund-raising events since childhood. We welcome her as a valued member of the chART leadership team!
Our Patrons
PATRON - MARCO MENDOZA
Marco Mendoza is an American musician. He spent his formative years living with his grandmother in Tijuana, Mexico. He started playing the guitar at an early age, adopting the bass when he was invited to join a band that needed a player.
Marco comes from a very musical family and started playing the guitar at an early age. Marco is perhaps mostly known for his work with a number of rock bands and artists such as Thin Lizzy, Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent, Neal Schon, Soul SirkUS Lynch Mob as well as diverse artits such as Dolores O’Riordan from the Cranberries. He is currently touring with Thin Lizzy and his solo project.
Marco is living in Los Angeles. When he’s not touring he can often be found playing local jazz clubs with Joey Heredia and Renato Neto.
He played in John Sykes' band Blue Murder, from 1991 until 1993. Mendoza is the current bassist for the reformed version of Thin Lizzy. Mendoza joined the band in 1996 then left in 2000. From 2000 to 2003 he toured with Ted Nugent. Mendoza returned to Thin Lizzy in 2005 replacing Randy Gregg and left again in 2007. He then toured with ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch in his band Lynch Mob. He rejoined Thin Lizzy once more in May 2010. Mendoza has also played for the band Soul SirkUS and with a lot of other musicians from different backgrounds including: Suzy K, Right Said Fred, Robert Williams, Roch Voisine, Rafael Aragon, Debby Yeager, Tin Drum and Tommy Shaw, among others.
In 2004 Mendoza toured with Whitesnake, yet another band that once featured Sykes (and also features Aldridge), and appears on their DVD Live... In the Still of the Night. In 2004, Mendoza guested on keyboardist Derek Sherinian's solo album Mythology.
On the personal side, Marco has three sons, Marco, Aaron and Max, and two daughters, Eva and Faith.
Welcome to chART Marco.
Bio courtesy of Scott Thomas.
PATRONS - EXIT STATE
EXIT STATE "Pull The Thread" The first single from the forthcoming album "Let's See It All". Recorded January 2013. Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Matt Elliss at Axis Studios, Doncaster, UK. Cover artwork by Mike Collins of Lungfull Design. Official website: www.exitstate.com Rocksector Records: www.rocksector.com A video which reached the no.1 spot on the Kerrang TV Chart Request Show, support slots with Michael Schenker (UFO/Scorpions), Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden), Dave Evans (AC/DC), Esoterica, The Black Mollys, Forever Never, Black Spiders, Marseille; 2 successful album releases, a tour in Finland, festivals in Belgium and performances at Hard Rock Hell in the UK & Ibiza.... with all this you could be forgiven for thinking Exit State has been around for years. However, the early success of their high octane sound has been almost immediate. This is a modern rock band that appeals to a new young audience just as effortlessly as it does those who've been around the block for a few years. In releasing debut album "Death Of A Rockstar" on King Prawn Records, in May 2010, Exit State made a clear statement of intent.
Reaching out from the local confines of hometown Burnley (Lancashire, UK), with epic tracks as well as radio-friendly catchy songs, and almost instantly punched above their weight. It was clear there was an urgency to their progression, demanded not least by a legion of early fans, and by album no.2 entitled "Black Veins" in October 2011, there was a step up to join Rocksector Records who helped unveil the band in Europe as well put Exit State on tour with Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock which also featured former-Scorpions members, in addition to the guitar maestro himself. Exit State toured and promoted the "Black Veins" album, proving what many already knew to be true - here was an impossible-to-ignore genuine contender as a modern classic rock band for the new decade.
A crowning glory of a performance at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire epitomised what this band had quickly become. Nevertheless, the real treasure is just about to be discovered as those already privvy to the latest mixes of the new 3rd album "Let's See It All" will testify. Out of the box jumps as fresh, punchy, catchy, shining an example of modern rock as anyone could realistically expect. The new album contains skilled compositions, polished performances and enviable production. "Let's See It All" is to be released on 24th June 2012 - and Exit State comes-of-age.
"Pull The Thread" - the first single from the album is released and available now as a free mp3 download at www.exitstate.com , together with a music video produced by the excellent Video Ink.
Band members: Roy Bright - lead vocals & rhythm guitar, "Texas" Peat Hicks - drums and backing vocals, Phil Ireland - bass and backing vocals, Matt Harris - lead guitar.
Management: Mark Appleton at Rocksector Records -
Press: Lynne Hampson at Rocksector Records -
EXIT STATE ARE PROUD TO BE OFFICIAL PATRONS OF chART:
CHILDERN'S HOSPICE ARTS
www.chartuk.org
PATRON - ADAM MASTERS
Children’s Hospice Arts, (chART), are proud and honoured to welcome Adam Masters as patron.
Adam worked for ten years at Manchester’s biggest music store, now known as PMT, (formerly A1 Music/Academy of Sound and Sound Control). He then moved on as an Area Sales Manager for Glasgow based P&R Howard Music Ltd. After a year on the road, Adam got into a conversation with his mate about Music shops, how great Independent shops in Manchester were and how they would spend hours hanging around just checking out interesting gear, seeing other musicians, spotting hero’s and just feeling part of something special. The conversation led to an idea; how could they re create the old school Music shop but put a modern slant on it but still maintain the vibe? The idea became a concept and the concept became reality in August 2012 South City Music opened. You can find South City Music at 18 Ashley Road, Altrincham, WA14 2DW. 0161 222 0603 www.southcitymusic.co.uk
Adam enjoyed success in Manchester Band, Juno Ashes between 2005-2009, playing around UK and Europe; he also works for Jah Wobble, (former Public Image Ltd), as equipment technician and UK tour manager.
Adam is married with a two year old daughter, Isla, and his Basset Hound, Napoleon, is his best mate!!!!
Welcome to chART!
Our Patron Adam Masters Presents THE MADCHESTER GUITAR!
The guitar is signed by the following-The Stone Roses, Liam and Noel Gallagher and Oasis, The Charlatans, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, Peter Hook, Steve Morris, Shaun Ryder, Rowetta, The Courteeners, Elbow, The Ting Tings, MC Tunes, Jah Wobble, Stephen Fretwell, Mark Burgess/John Lever-The Chameleons, The Buzzcocks, Mike Sweeny and Dewsbury, Jimmi Goodwin, Aziz, Mary Ann Hobbs, Clint Boon and the Inspiral Carpets, John Robb, Dermo (Northside), Larry Gott (James), Hippy Mafia....and there are few more to go which i will post about.
History
The idea for the Madchester guitar came about around 2 years ago. I was working at PMT Manchester and I heard some news that changed my outlook on everything. A friend, colleague and legend of the Manchester music scene and his wife, lost a beloved daughter at the age of one. My daughter was the same age at the time and I was floored by emotion. Sadness, anger, confusion-how could this happen to someone so young?, to some of the nicest people you could ever meet? to any parent....Life is so unfair. But most of all it made me for the first time really want to make a difference. Music is everything to a lot of us, the soundtrack to life. A few of us have been lucky enough to have made careers working around it and be part of some amazing moments, but it means nothing in the grand scheme of things, however because of our chosen path things like this become possible and it was as simple as this....I was not going to stop until that guitar had the biggest names ever to come out of Manchester on it. That mission is now complete. Phase 2 now begins-spread the word-BIG TIME because on the 1st of November its going to auction on ebay.
One of the best things to come out of this was meeting Suzanne Price, a co founder of the charity chART. It was perfect, a charity that has connections in music and works with musicians, plus auctions Rock n Roll memorabilia which is donated to them and with the proceeds buys instruments, and donates to hospices caring for seriously ill children and young people with life limiting conditions. This is just one aspect of chART, they work to enrich the lives of children and young people in hospices through the performing, creative and literary arts. Art and design, film and photography, theatre and dance, crafts, music and literary arts. I am now a patron of chART and I’m very proud of that.
Over the next 6 weeks me Suzanne and the boys at PMT Manchester are on a mission-PLEASE SPREAD THE WORLD!!!Share this page, and get people to get bidding.
Thank you to everyone who so kindly signed this guitar-I was there when everyone signed and everyone of those legendary icons loved it. Thanks to Beef and Col at PMT for your support.
This guitar is dedicated to Lucy
Adam Masters
co owner South City Music
Call 0161 222 0603 for info
PATRON - DOUG BRYAN
Doug Bryan (born Douglas Thomas Bryan Jr on Sept 17, 1969 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey) is a Morganville, New Jersey, American based guitarist currently a member of Naked Sunday: The Ultimate Stone Temple Pilots Tribute Experience which will debut in 2012 as a national touring production. Doug is also a part of the New Jersey rock cover band scene having prior played in cover acts Plan B and Fully Loaded as well as filled in as a guest guitarist on the cover scene to any band in need.
Doug is no stranger to charity. A current United Way donor, Doug's stepfather Arthur (Art) Scialla is the founding member of Gift Of Life, a worldwide non profit charity which today has saved the lives of over 800 children born with life threatening heart defects. His mother, Patricia Scialla has been instrumental in Children's Hospice facilities in New York & New Jersey best known as Children's Hospice performer Cuddles The Clown. Doug's father, the late Douglas Thomas Bryan was a special needs speech therapist in the Paterson New Jersey inner city school district who was instrumental in teaching children with handicap speech impediments to talk. He was also a star talk show host of The Home Show with Doug Bryan on WWOR Radio in New York City.
A quote from Doug.
"Coming from my family background, I felt that taking the step to my involvement in a great charitable organization would be a natural choice for me. When asked to be a part of chART UK I was totally blown away. I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful and caring organization. These children need us to make them smile during their very difficult times of struggle. To see them suffer is hard enough, but to put a smile on their face for even but a moment can make their world a better place and all the difference in the world. How can you turn away from something like that?"
PATRON - SUSAN THORSEN
Susan Thorsen is a Portland, Oregon born and raised American music photographer currently based in Denver, Colorado. Susan's initial interest in photography began as a mere child. When given her first camera at eight years of age, she knew immediately that the capture of life on film was to be her mission.
In the 1970's, Susan began studying fine arts and photography while high school in Portland, Oregon and continued as she attended college at Portland State University and the University of Oregon. As she worked toward earning a degree in fine arts, Susan found her primary photographic interests centered on people and animals. She became additionally challenged and motivated to build a successful business with photography by combining her love of music and photographic art with shooting photos of well known musicians in concert.
Over the years, Susan has traveled the globe to photograph countless concerts and music festivals and her work continues to be published regularly in many forms of world-wide media. After more than 35 years as a professional photographer, her life-long passion continues to inspire her on a daily basis. www.susanthorsen.com
"My experience in capturing and documenting indescribable moments in music history with photographs still continues to be the ultimate gift to my being. I have been involved first hand (immediate family) with the benefits that hospice care provides for terminally and seriously ill patients and their families and have a sincere interest and dedication to 'giving back'. Knowing that my work may help someone in need in any way, is an extreme compliment to my soul. I can truly say it is an honor for me to be asked to be a part of the chART UK team as a supporting patron."
PATRON - WAYNE FINDLAY
WAYNE FINDLAY: International Recording Artist, Composer, Songwriter, Producer, Guitarist, Bassist and Keyboardist for: NO SKY TODAY, THE MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, SLAVIOR, VINNIE MOORE BAND.
Hailing from San Diego California, Wayne Findlay has become one of the most sought after Guitarist/Keyboardists in America. This classically trained shredder has toured and recorded with some of rock's most historic legends: Michael Schenker(Scorpions/UFO/MSG), Vinnie Moore(UFO), Carmine Appice(Rod Stewart/Cactus/Ozzy/Blue Murder),Vinnie Appice(Black Sabbath/Dio), Kelly Keeling(Blue Murder/Guitar Zeus/John Norum), Spencer Davis(Spencer Davis Group), Pete Way(UFO/Wasted), Gary Barden(MSG), Chris Glen(Sensational Alex Harvey Band/MSG), Chris Slade(AC/DC/The Firm/Uriah Heep/Manford Mann Earth Band), Herman Rarebell(Scorpions), Ted McKenna(The Sensational Alex Harvey Band/MSG), Robin McAuley(MacAuley - Schenker), Neil Murray(Whitesnake/Black Sabbath), Simon Phillips(Toto/Jeff Beck/Stevie Wonder),Mark Zonder(Fates Warning), Philip Bynoe(Steve Vai), Lenny Wolf(Kingdom Come), Gregg Analla(Tribe of Gypsies), and many more.
Wayne has also had the privilege to perform on stage with such heavyweights as: Thin Lizzy, Leslie West(Mountain), Uli Jon Roth(Scorpions), Rudolf Schenker(Scorpions), Warren DiMartini(RATT), Frank Hannon(Tesla), Robbie Crane(Vince Neil/Ratt/Slash), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake/Foreigner), James Kottak(Scorpions), Paul Raymond(UFO/MSG), Doogie White(Deep Purple/Yngwie) and Ryo Okumoto(Spock's Beard), Jeff Scott Soto(Yngwie/Journey), Barry Sparks(Dokken/Ted Nugent) and Shane Gaallaas(Yngwie) among many others.
He is currently in the Mar. 2011 Issue of Guitar World Magazine, Nov. 2010 Carvin Catalog, The Nov. 2009 issue of Premier Guitar Magazine and Carvin Catalog, Mar. 2009 issue of Guitar World Magazine, the Feb.2009 issue of Guitar Player, Featured in Nov. 2007 issue of Young Guitar Magazine, and Nov.2007 issue of Beatleg Magazine. Recently, he was asked to do a spotlight article, "Betcha Can't Play This!" and DVD, for the Aug. 2007 issue of Guitar World Magazine. Wayne currently stands as the longest member of the Michael Schenker Group. Also contributing as Music Director, he has recorded and toured the world with M.S.G. for the past 13 years.
His band NO SKY TODAY is: Wayne Findlay(Michael Schenker Group/SLAVIOR) on Guitarz / Keyboardz, and Paul Jones(Robot Lords of Tokyo) on Vocals... These two founding members are the core of the NST sound. With Wayne Findlay writing and producing the music, and Paul Jones writing the lyrics and vocal melodies, these two have really made a sound that stands on their own, as the next band to watch out for... Within a month of releasing their debut CD, it was chosen by Touchtunes digital jukeboxes to be played in 40,000 nightclubs, resteraunts and bars across America... Not an easy task for an independent band!
While in the studio recording their debut album, NO SKY TODAY was asked to record an unreleased track of Tommy Bolin's(James Gang/Deep Purple) called "Jump Back", as part of a compilation CD called "Mister Bolin's Late Night Revival". Wayne arranged, produced and performed all guitars and keys on the song with guest Fin Muir(Wasted) on vocals. Proceeds from the album go to a local drug recovery center in Sioux Falls, Tommy Bolin's Hometown. NO SKY TODAY's version of "Jump Back" was also chosen for the "Tommy Bolin Tribute" video.
NST have already begun refining the band and have recently made some changes to the line-up. Now adding bassist/engineer Joe Viers(Robot Lords of Tokyo) and B.rad Dettmer(FNR)to the mix, they are gearing up for some upcoming tours this year.The 2nd NST CD is already being written and will begin to be recorded in the next few months!!
PATRON - ROY MATTHEWS
Born and bred in Manchester. Lived in Davyhulme for the past sixteen years with wife Judy and a succession of cats and dogs the latest being Dougal the greyhound. Toured the Country with a comedy folk band in the late 70's as driver (dogsbody) then played drums in a punk band in 1979 called The Naughty Boys....became driver/friend to Bob Williamson the Bolton comedian for a few years and went on tour with The Flying Pickets (keep that quiet). Worked in music security for six years touring round the Country at shows for many artists including Rolling Stones, U2, Springsteen, McCartney and was one of the backstage staff at Live8 Hyde Park 2005.
Went on to work for a company furnishing dressing rooms on show day for artists including Genesis, Streisand, Chilli Peppers, George Michael and many more. Currently has a much quieter life fantasising over learning a fourth chord on the guitar.
Our Supporters
Claire Tierney (Paint Pot); Liz Davidson (Sugar Crafts/Culinary Arts); Theatre Royal Newcastle; PMT Professional Music Technology Manchester; Peter Bromley (Children's Author);Georgina Zupnik (Jewellery Designer); Hannah Winton (Textiles Designer);Marta Sorensen (designer); Janey and Robert Boultby (Regional Co-ordinators for the Midlands);Gursharan Hans (Regional Co-ordinator for Southern England). Please check out the Links page for more information. Page Top
Our Mascot
Ladybird Elise, in memory of Elise Alexandra Andersen, a very special little girl who touched so many hearts in her short life.
Please visit our eBay shop to purchase chART merchandise and quality gifts, including items featuring ladybirds and our flower, the orange gerbera.
An exclusive designer range of Elise ceramics will be available in early 2012.