Exhibition marks ten years of Pete McKee’s support for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Most people will recognise Sheffield artist Pete McKee for his creative talents, but lesser known is his steadfast support for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
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Over the last ten years, Pete has designed a Christmas card to raise money for The Children’s Hospital Charity’s arts programme, Artfelt.

This has raised more than £38,000 to help make the clinical hospital setting more comfortable for patients, with engaging artwork and workshops.

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Pete McKee said: “Knowing just how valuable and vital Sheffield Children’s Hospital is, especially being a parent who has relied on its services in the past, it has been a pleasure to fundraise for them for over a decade.”

Sheffield artist Pete McKeeSheffield artist Pete McKee
Sheffield artist Pete McKee

The cards, which have become a Christmas tradition at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, represent just one of the ways McKee supports its work.

Pete became a patron of Artfelt in 2012 and, over the years, he has donated £10,000 from the sales of his ‘Penguin Book’ artwork, designed a Herd of Sheffield elephant which sold for £22,000, and created a swing-tag for a Pulp-inspired Sheffield Wednesday shirt which raised over £30,000.

Pete added: “I was even more delighted to become a patron of Artfelt, the arts programme for Sheffield Children’s, a few years ago. I am a strong believer in how art can help an individual’s recovery and improve their surroundings, especially if they need distraction from being in hospital.”

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To celebrate Pete’s ongoing support, an exhibition curated by Artfelt has been launched in The Long Gallery in Sheffield Children’s Hospital, featuring prints from his archives, which examine childhood, family and the fun of growing up.

Sheffield artist Pete McKee has drawn this card for Christmas 2019 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.Sheffield artist Pete McKee has drawn this card for Christmas 2019 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.
Sheffield artist Pete McKee has drawn this card for Christmas 2019 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.

Artfelt manager Cat Powell said: “It’s a privilege to have Pete as our patron as he truly understands the power of art in hospitals. Pete’s art is very popular with our patients.

“I hope Pete’s unique take on family and childhood resonates with our visitors and gives them a moment of humour or reflection during their time at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.”

All the prints in the gallery can be bought online from Pete McKee’s website at www.petemckee.com. For more information on Artfelt, visit www.artfelt.org.uk​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.