Cancer care hospice being backed for good by Take That band members

A CHRISTCHURCH hospice is being backed for good by Take That members Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen who signed canvases for auction.

The trio are supporting Macmillan Caring Locally’s Canvas for the Mac sale which kicked off at the weekend and will run until 8th December.

It was recently launched by former Saints manager and ex-King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp and his wife Sandra.

Canvas for the Mac will see dozens of signed canvas artworks, doodles, sketches and lyrics by famous people auctioned off to support Macmillan's Brick by Brick appeal to fund the construction of a new Macmillan palliative cancer care unit at Christchurch hospital.

Other celebrities supporting the fundraiser are England manager Gareth Southgate and World Cup goal scorer Marcus Rashford, TV presenters Ant and Dec, Queen guitarist Brian May, pop band The Vamps, and actors Martin Clunes and Sir David Jason.

Others include comedian Ricky Gervais plus One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson and England Lioness captain Leah Williamson.

Artist Elizabeth Sporne, who painted the Take That members, said: “I don’t know whether I’ve captured their real characters, but Howard has a far-away look in his eyes and a definite twinkle as well, while Gary and Mark both have cheeky smiles.

"Several ladies I know have developed a bit of a crush.”

To support the Brick by Brick campaign visit macmillanlocal.org