A fine art dealer has decided to take his 40th birthday as a literal milestone, bypassing normal celebrations and instead taking on a gruelling charity walkathon.
Raffi Der Haroutunian will skip the cake and candles to walk 40 kilometres from Lymm to Salford and back to raise money for a Down’s Syndrome support group and for medical research into multiple sclerosis.
In his line of work he comes into contact with a lot of talented artists.
So on the cards is a plan to meet these various painters and virtuosos along the route to collect 40 pieces of art to donate to his charitable cause.
They include works by Salford’s greatest living artist Geoffrey Key, who met Raffi this morning at his home to present a framed harlequin sketch.
Raffi, who works at Collect Arts in Lymm, will take over the gallery on Sunday 4 December to raffle off these incredible works.
All the money raised wil go to MS Research Treatment and The Cheshire Downs Syndrome Support Group.
Other artists involved include Olivia Pilling, John Picking, Judith Donaghy, Michael Ashcroft, Chris Cyprus, Richard Clare, Sevan Malikyan, Wayne Blackhurst, Chris Chapman, Malcolm Croft, Russell Howarth, Rob Pointon and Ghislaine Howard.
Olivia Pilling – The Trees Starting to Turn
David Farren – New York Morning
Richard Clare – Wild Sky over Stanage Edge Derbyshire
Matt Wilde – Flower Power
Chris Cyprus – Hillside Terrace
Steve Capper – Cheshire Landscape
SalfordOnline.com caught up with Raffi on Friday 5 August at Geoffrey Key’s home to talk through the idea.
He said: “40 is supposedly a milestone in your life so I decided to celebrate it by doing something for somebody else and came up with the idea of walking 40 kilometeres on my 40th and calling in at artists’ homes en route.
“Geoffrey, who I have known for many years has kindly given me this fabulous artwork which will go into the charity auction.
“I think it’s great that these artists have rallied round to help me out, it shows what nice people they are.
“I have been in strict training for about three weeks! But I was determined to complete all 40k and I will!”
On back-up duties is Raffi’s wife Faith, who drives ahead and awaits his arrival, although she admitted she has used the time to nip out and get some shopping done!
Geoffrey Key told us: “I was more than happy to help Raffi out, I knew his father for many years, a very talented and kind man, Raffi is the same and I wish him the best of luck with the raffle and hopefully, many, many people will purchase a ticket and help these two charities and the chance of winning some original artwork.”
Raffi has opened a JustGiving page if you wish to donate money towards his cause.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at £20 each from Collect Art in Lymm or by contacting Raffi on his Facebook page.
