I’m celebrating my 100th birthday by hosting a charity art exhibition
A North East artist is marking his 100th birthday by supporting South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
David Hughes MBE, from Houghton-le-Spring, is celebrating this 100th birthday by hosting a special art exhibition in support of the hospital trust that saved his life twice.
The great-grandfather has donated a collection of his paintings to STS Charity, the official charity of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.
The exhibition, titled ‘Celebration’ opened with a previous at the Arts Centre Washington last month and will run until December 20.
David is hoping that through his milestone birthday gift, he can raise funds for STS Charity’s Stroke Unit Fund and their Vision Appeal - which is aiming to raising funds for enhanced equipment and resources at the new Eye Hospital, in Sunderland city centre.
At the preview of the exhibition, David said: “If I can persuade people who are on their own to get out, to do even a little and live a happier and longer life, that’s all I’m trying to do.
“I get up every morning and say, ‘David, enjoy today. It’s no good thinking of tomorrow as it may not come. Accept the things you can change, change the things you can and live every day to your best.’”
David discovered a passion for art aged 60 following the loss of his beloved wife May. The passion saw him convert a room in his home into a studio, where he taught himself to paint
He began painting with watercolours, eventually adapting his style when he developed age-related macular degeneration – an eye condition that affects central vision.
David has credited Sunderland Royal Hospital for saving his life twice.
The first was in 2010 when he received a pacemaker at the hospital and the second in November 2024, when he suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak or move
He added: “Thanks to the incredible care I received at Sunderland Royal Hospital, I’m still here and enjoying life.
“I’ve been committed to supporting charities since my retirement and now I’m using my art and my 100th birthday to give back in my own way.”
Nichola Taylor, Head of STS Charity, has expressed her gratitude to David for using his milestone birthday to raise vital funds for the NHS Trust’s charity.
She commented: “We are so grateful to David for his incredible support of STS Charity. His generosity in donating his artwork will make a real difference and his commitment to giving back is truly inspiring.
“He shows us the importance of creativity and staying active in older age for health and wellbeing, he’s just brilliant.
“It was wonderful to see the preview and to celebrate his upcoming 100th birthday and I’d encourage everyone to come along and experience this very special exhibition.”
David was awarded his MBE in 2016 for decades of dedicated charity work and was named PRIDE of Wearside.
As well as creating artworks, he is also the author of seven books and continues to be an active member of two local art clubs.
The father-of-two, grandfather-of-six and a great-grandfather-of-fourteen, David still continues to paint on a daily basis.
Prints and cards featuring David’s artwork are available to purchase from Arts Centre Washington, with all profits supporting STS Charity.
You can also order them directly by emailing: [email protected].
For more information about the exhibition, visit: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/celebration-by-david-hughes/.