Bereaved families of NHS workers lost to coronavirus are set to benefit from a donation thanks to the efforts of an iconic London studio.
The Healthcare Workers’ Foundation will receive £1,500 after a stunning large glass spool piece titled The Threads Connecting Us went under the hammer at London Glassblowing.

The money raised will now go towards services such as childcare and counselling for the families of NHS staff lost to the pandemic.

The auction piece, created by Netflix Blown Away 2 winner Elliot Walker, was bought by avid art collector Timothy Andrews – and it has now taken pride of place at his home in Pennsylvania, USA.

Timothy, who was first drawn to London Glassblowing’s work in 2018, said he was attracted to the piece after it reminded him of his late mother’s work as a seamstress in the Second World War, with generations before her involved in needlework.

The 59-year-old said he also admired its unusual nature and wanted to contribute to such a good cause.

The spool piece

“I’ve never seen glass ‘thread’ wound around a central core before, nor have I ever seen glass with this particular colour density. So that made it unique, at least to me,” said Timothy, who lives in Bucks County.

“I’m also involved in a number of charitable activities and appreciated the auction was to raise money for a very worthy cause.

“Finally, and importantly, my mother of blessed memory was a seamstress for two decades in a sewing factory – starting in World War Two – and was from a long line of quilters and creators using needle and thread. So that connection pulled at me as well.

“As soon as I saw the photo of the piece, I imagined it in the middle of my dining room table. And that’s where it is.”

He said he first fell in love with London Glassblowing when he spotted Alison Lowry’s ‘Estelle’ piece three years ago – a piece which he maintains is still his favourite among his vast collection.

He has since bought a number of pieces from the Bermondsey Street venue, which this year marks 45 years since it was founded by grandmaster of glass Peter Layton.

Dr Dominic Pimenta, Chairman of the Healthcare Workers Foundation, has thanked London Glassblowing and Elliot for their work in raising the donation for the charity.

“We are honoured that London Glassblowing and Elliot Walker produced this incredible glass spool and chose to donate half of the funds raised to the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation,” he said.

“London Glassblowing’s reputation as an iconic studio and Elliot as an artist – and this beautiful piece they auctioned off – have helped to highlight the work that we are doing for NHS workers.

“The donation will be put to good use in assisting healthcare workers by providing much-needed welfare and well-being services such as counselling, help with childcare and support for bereaved families of NHS workers who have lost a loved one to Covid-19.

“We are indebted to London Glassblowing and Elliot for their generosity.”
Speaking about the auction, Peter said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to raise funds for such a worthy cause.

“The NHS has always been invaluable to this country, but it’s never been so evident as during the coronavirus pandemic, so we felt it was very important to thank them in some way.

“We’re very pleased this poignant piece was purchased by such a valued customer too – and we hope Timothy enjoys the work for many years to come.”

This year is a landmark time for Peter, as he turned 84 this summer – making him the UK’s oldest glassblower.

He’ll be marking the occasion with a solo show entitled Time Traveller from August 6 to September 2, which will see pioneer Peter take a look back over his top collections and most inspiring travel locations to produce entirely new creations.

Elliot Walker, who created the auction piece, said: “I was honoured to be able to play a part in helping to raise funds for such an important charity.

Elliot Walker

“My mum came out of retirement to aid in the vaccine rollout and, before that, she worked for a GP surgery for 25 years, so I’m very much aware of the dedication and commitment of NHS staff.

“Creating The Threads Connecting Us for London Glassblowing was a pleasure – and I’m so pleased it raised much-needed funds.”