Art exhibition raises funds for heart charity

Jaki and her fiancé Mark used Heartbeat House when he had a quadruple heart bypass in January

A Guernsey woman has raised more than £7,000 for a charity that provides a place to stay for family members of heart patients being treated in Southampton.

Jaki Erskine used Heartbeat House in January while her fiancé Mark Fallaize underwent a quadruple heart bypass.

Heartbeat helps with accommodation for people diagnosed with congenital and cardiovascular diseases and is located next to the Wessex Cardiac Unit based at Southampton General Hospital.

Ms Erskine said: "It is such an amazing place. The costs are really affordable and it's only across the road from the hospital."

Ms Erskine curated and sold a number of art pieces in her 'heARTbeat' exhibition at the George Crossan Gallery in Market Street.

An artist who donated a piece, Jill Marquis said: “I heard that Jaki was running a heartbeat house charity (fundraiser) and I thought what a lovely cause.

"It’s so important to have somewhere for people to go and stay in their hours of need. And so I thought I’m just going to donate this painting to Jaki and hopefully it will help to raise some funds for a much needed cause."

Last year 25% of the families that stayed in Heartbeat House came from the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Ms Erskine's family, friends and artists came together to celebrate the last day of the exhibition, Saturday 27 April

Ms Erskine said: "The best part of it is that it's full of people that have loved ones going through cardiac surgery and the therapeutic value of being able to come home after a worrying day when your loved one's in surgery and then talk to others going through the same thing is just amazing."

Heartbeat House has 23 bedrooms and several communal areas, and is just a three minute walk from the cardiac wards.

Mr Fallaize had been booked in for a planned operation after managing his angina for the previous eight years.

He said: "It s amazing the amount of stress it takes out of you. Knowing she's safe, close, and with people who are going through exactly the same as what I was going through."

The Head of Business and Donor Development at Heartbeat House, Tina Tolley said: "Jaki's selfless actions to put on such a wonderful and unique event will benefit the families of those who stay in Heartbeat house in Southampton."

A number of pieces of art have also been donated to hang in the house.