Created by local artists in aid of St Michael and All Angels Christmas charity appeal

Bidding is hotting up for the 24 artworks in St Michael & All Angels 2009 Advent Calendar, raising money for the church's Christmas Appeal in aid of local charities. The Silent Auction comes to a climax this Sunday January 10th at a New Year party in St Michael & All Angels Parish Hall, starting at 11.30 am. First lots close at 12 noon.

The artworks are by local artists, who are generously donating a third of their sale proceeds to the Appeal. They include distinguished painters such as Alfred Daniels, Keeper of the Royal Society of British Artists, and Francis Bowyer, Past President of the Royal Watercolour Society. Works by several others can also be found in national museums and galleries, including the Government and Royal Art Collections. You can read their biographies here.

The Advent Calendar pictures can be seen in St Michael & All Angels Church, Bath Road, W4 on Sunday - or online.

Father Kevin Morris, vicar of St Michael's, said "We're very grateful to the artists, and we hope that all of their pictures will find a buyer, so that our Christmas charities will benefit from their generosity. Everyone is welcome at the party, to meet the artists and celebrate the New Year, whether or not they want to bid. And the bidding can get fast and furious, so it’s great fun!“

This year’s Christmas Appeal charities are:

- Bhola's Children in Bangladesh - a charity based in Chiswick
- St Mary's Convent & Nursing Home in Chiswick
- The Upper Room, feeding the community in need in West London.

The highest bid so far is £225 for the Alfred Daniels picture. Silent Auction bids can be made on the bidding sheets in St Michael’s church, and the latest “bids to beat” can be seen online.

January 6, 2010