A contemporary art exhibition – Pictures for The Beehive – hosted at the home of the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury has raised more than £100,000 for Diverse Abilities The Splash Appeal.

The money will go towards the building of a hydrotherapy pool for people with profound disabilities.

The two-day exhibition, and subsequent auction of works, was held at St. Giles House, Wimborne St. Giles.

The exhibition culminated in a party and, at its conclusion, the auctioning of 29 donated works by Guy Schwinge of Duke’s.

They included artists such as Antony Gormley, Maggi Hambling, Paula Rego, and Catherine Goodman and spanned a range of media.

More than £84,000 was raised in the auction.

Other proceeds were collected through the sale of tickets, a raffle, donations and souvenir postcards, taking the total to well over £100,000.

Henrietta Young, Curator and Artist, said: “We were delighted with the interest shown in this wide ranging and exciting show and the fantastic sum raised at the auction, thanks to the enthusiasm, expertly kindled by Mr. Schwinge, of the bidders.

“But we were really delighted that so many more people now know, and care, about The Beehive, the excellent work done there, and the acute need for this pool.

“This is only the start!”

Helen Mortimer, Development Manager, said: “All of us at Diverse Abilities have been overwhelmed with the support of artists, volunteers and those who have bid.

“The hard work and generosity of all these people made this possible and has taken us a huge leap closer to building a therapy pool.”

The exhibition and auction restarts the fundraising process for The Splash Appeal, following a brief hiatus during the pandemic.

The £1m appeal seeks to raise funds to build a hydrotherapy pool for adults with disabilities in Dorset.

Artist Amy Shuckburgh said: “I was delighted to be asked to donate a picture to this charity and for such a worthwhile cause.

“The work I donated is part of a series exploring my experience of caring for children and seemed an appropriate piece to offer for the auction.”

The exhibition also featured portraits and drawings of those who attend The Beehive.

It is the charity’s hope that the work can tour in a bid to raise awareness and increase the visibility of those with disabilities.

The touring exhibition will be sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers.

• thesplashappeal.org.uk

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Biz Gallery – Pictures by Paul Collins/PC Visuals

Ian Weatherby, Patsy Todd and Matthew House

Sarah Wilson and Hermione Norris

Alex Smith and Emma House

Dominic Wigan and Julie Ann Scott

Naomi Clarke and Clementine Cooke.

Dugald and Susannah Graham-Campbell.

Cat Abbott, Megan Thompson and Chelsey Mills

Sally Anne Barnett, Rowena Mitchell, Christine Bueno, Ginny Rottenburg, Alex Rottenburg and Lynda Rose

Amanda and George Streatfield

Eric Prince and Wendy Barker

Mark Powell with John and Valerie Smith

Polly Penrose and Lizzie Snell

The Earl of Shaftsbury

Sarah Wilson and Gary Cedeira