Carl's Story - HospiceUK Legacy Campaign 2026
Art has been a prominent feature in Carl’s life. His parents were artists, he went to art school and was even mentored by local artist David Tarttelin before ultimately putting his pastels down to become a builder. Carl said: “I started doing art at a very young age. My Mum was a good artist, my Dad was a good artist and I continued through school to get my A level. Then I went to art school which was at Eleanor Street, and then I didn’t touch another pen until another 30 years.”
But after receiving a cancer diagnosis, he was able to pick them back up and dedicate his life to his love of art. Although he has been paid for commissions before, he’s never had his art on display to the public – until now. He explained: “I was unemployed for a short period of time and so started doing a few portraits for people and friends. Then when I got cancer, that’s when it opened the doors to start doing something regular.”
After being referred to the hospice for wellbeing support but MacMillan, he began working with our spiritual care lead, Ben, to achieve his dream of a gallery opening. Ben said: “Initially when I start work with somebody, I go through their life story, which is what I did with Carl and Carl’s Wife, Nicole. The obvious question when he told me he had never shown the world his art was, “would you like to do that?” – and that’s when we got onto the idea of doing a display in a gallery! The gallery were absolutely astounded by the quality of his work. I knew, Nicole knew, and Carl kind of knew, but wasn’t 100% sure, that people would like his work.
“It’s my vocation. Spiritual care is about the things that most matter to a person and what makes that person who they are – and art is what makes Carl who he is.”
With the help of St Andrew’s Hospice, and the generosity of people like you, he is finally able to showcase his talent to the whole world.
Talking about her husband and the gallery opening, Nicole said: “Carl is always fun to be around and full of laughter. He has a brilliant imagination which you can see in his art. I’m hoping this gallery opening will help him realise how good his work is so I can say I told you so!”
Carl finished by saying: “When I’m dead in the ground and you get my signature and think “he’s famous that lad” – that’d be nice.
“I have good days and bad days, just like anyone with this disease, but when I do my art I really get my head down and tuck into it. You just see four hours turn into ten minutes and what you’ve achieved on a piece of paper, it’s amazing. It’s like being on stage in front of a thousand people and it’s great to see what you’ve created, like have I really just created this thing. Words can’t describe it really.”
This is hospice care. But this incredible support wouldn’t exist without you. Gifts in Wills fund one in four people we care for, helping ensure care at the end of life is here for everyone who needs it, both now and in the future.
Leave a gift in your Will and help hospice care live on for all, for now, forever.
Visit https://www.standrewshospice.com/Supporting-Us/Gifts-in-Wills to find out more.