Sussex Gogglebox stars raising funds to support nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants

The list of households that have produced pieces of art include Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig who own a salon in Hurspierpoint and Andy, Caroline and Louis from the Michaels family who live in Brighton.

The show’s creator and executive producer, Tania Alexander, came up with the idea for cast members to paint self-portraits of themselves sitting on their sofas.

The paintings have been donated to Cavell Nurses’ Trust and entered into the prize draw to help raise funds for UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants facing a crisis in their lives, often because of illness, domestic abuse, mental health issues and more recently the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tania said:“The work that Cavell Nurses' Trust does is incredibly valuable. They offer real and tangible support to the nursing profession, and they're doing that right now at what is such a crucial time. I think I speak for the entire Gogglebox cast and crew when I say that we are grateful to them and to the clinical care profession as a whole. This painting project for the prize draw is our way of trying to say thank you. We hope it helps raise awareness and funds simultaneously, so please do buy a ticket.”

With cast members of the latest series being in some way touched by the help of nurses, and art in general, this initiative resonates across the board. One of the show’s stars, Julie Malone, explains; “As a mother of a paediatric intensive care nurse, I really enjoyed getting involved with this project. We really appreciate all the work the Cavell Nurses’ Trust do for nurses and healthcare workers and we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts”

Other households taking part include Tom Snr, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun Malone, Pete and Sophie, Jenny and Lee, The Siddiquis and Mary and Giles.

To be in with a chance of winning a Gogglebox masterpiece painted by your favourite sofa critic, Cavell are hosting a Gala Bid Prize Draw from 10pm Friday, May 22 until Friday, June 5 where anyone can buy tickets to be in with a chance to win.

Each entry costs £3 with all proceeds in aid of Cavell Nurses’ Trust. Enter at app.galabid.com/gogglebox

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