Art raffle to raise funds for school

Gallery artrepublic is to host a live raffle in a bid to raise cash for Middle Street School, which has seen funding drop but costs rise.

Sir Peter Blake, who designed the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band cover, visited Middle Street School in 2014, and has donated a box of prints worth £1,250 to help raise much-needed funds.

Containing five Brighton-inspired prints, the box set is one of a limited edition of 60.

As well as the prints, a number of other prizes have been donated, and artrepublic will give 20 per cent of all sales made on the day to the cause.

Raffle organiser and artrepublic gallery manager Achushla Bennett hopes the raffle will raise at least £2,000 for Middle Street School.

She said: “Middle Street School is known for nurturing creativity and artistic talent among its pupils and we want to make sure that continues for many years to come. We’re delighted other local businesses have come on board to help support the school too.”

Headteacher Julie Aldous said: “Increased staff national insurance contributions, increased contributions to teachers pensions and the introduction of the living wage have significantly impacted existing school budgets. In addition school funding has not risen in line with inflation for some time now.

"School buildings are also suffering as a result of a considerable decrease in capital funding over the last few years. Middle Street funding dropped from around £30,000 a year to approximately £6,000 having a significant negative impact on the general upkeep of the school building from external decoration to purchasing new equipment.”

Raffle tickets are available from the artrepublic gallery on Bond Street in Brighton for £5 each, or £20 for five. Tickets can be purchased until 5pm on Thursday, September 28. The draw will begin at 5.15pm at the gallery.