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Published: Tuesday 21 Oct 2008
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Oliver’s Blog – 20.10.08

It’s now time for me to come out of the woodwork to express my appreciation of the overwhelming support, affection and encouragement which my family and I have received since I announced the inception of the Foundation at Mark’s funeral in April.

The public response to the various TV, radio and press interviews in which I have been involved latterly, has invigorated and energized my determination to achieve the highest level of success possible for the art based charity - to ensure that the children of the UK benefit individually. This will be Mark’s legacy to each and every one of them. Our engine room is this excellent website site devised by Dan Frost and Matthew Burke of Interadvertising.

If we are to attain our goal, then our Aims and Objectives must be clearly defined. Therefore and for the avoidance of any doubt, let me identify these now:

Aims

1. To seek out artistic talent in all its varied forms in children in the age groups 4 – 18 years and throughout the UK. Categories will incorporate portraiture, landscape, modern art, sculpture, architecture fashion design, theatre design, cartoon and graffiti.

2. To encourage awareness of hidden and unrecognised talent in a child, whatever his or her circumstance, and to assist in the development of their potential.

How?

1. The Foundation’s organisation, administered from the centre of England in Newcastle-under-Lyme will comprise of regional areas within the UK, each with its own appointed Coordinator who will be responsible for the assembling of his/her individual team of supporters.

The regional aims will be to:

a) encourage artistic development in children by looking specifically at the local needs:
b) work with local authorities, community groups and schools.

Organised activities may include open days, social events, seminars, educational visits, workshops by local tutors/artists.

c) Fundraising.

Coordinators will regularly liaise with Headquarters to ensure its full support and an HQ representative will visit the regions on a regular basis.

2. There will be an annual competition held between the regions with an appropriate prize awarded to the winning region, for outstanding achievement.

3. Local, regional and national competitions will also be instigated in the various artistic categories as outlined in the first Aim above. The ultimate aim being to award appropriate scholarships to the successful. Such scholarships will provide individual funding to support future educational cost needs.

We must however continue to examine and expand our aims to meet the changing needs of our societies.

There will be no restrictions on any individual or any section of society. Children of all creeds, colours and abilities are welcomed. (Note our links to Muscular Dystrophy Pavement Artist competition.) Mark was the Junior President of Muscular Dystrophy – among others.

To date Regional Coordinators have been appointed in Northern Ireland and North West England (see the Regional Coordinators’ page). Discussions are in hand with individuals keen to represent London, the Midlands and Scotland. More to follow!

The Foundations is a charity status organisation relying on private and public donation. Yes, Government sources are and will continue to be approached e.g. the Arts Council, but initially it is up to us, the foot soldiers of society to lead the way. Perhaps this is Speight’s Dad’s Army?!

Finally, Mark was an iconic talent full of fun, humour and deep love of children. That philosophy must be the benchmark from which we begin. I was particularly moved recently by Angela of Bristol who sent the following to the Daily Mail website, dated 4 October, and in reaction to my interview with the Daily Mail, and I quote:

“This story had a profound effect on me when it broke originally. Mark’s father should know that it did at least make one person stop using class A drugs”.

Suddenly life becomes all worth while! But one swallow……We cannot rest on our laurels, so keep smiling and foot hard down on the accelerator! We need more of those mighty foot solders. This is the most exciting challenge of my life. Do make it yours!

Best wishes

Oliver