Member Article

The Fire Station to Host the Debut of ‘The Call’ - a poignant photography exhibition capturing images of children on the organ donation list

A new powerful and collaborative art exhibition between Red Sky Foundation and Fujifilm UK will debut in Sunderland in an exclusive launch event ahead of a regional and national tour across key venues to raise awareness of organ donation.

On Friday 15th September 2023, guests will descend on The Fire Station, Sunderland to join the team at the Red Sky Foundation as they showcase and celebrate the inspirational images captured through a lens by hugely admired photographer Debbie Todd, who has travelled the UK capturing images of children on the organ donation list.

‘The Call’ explores the subject of organ donation through both the children waiting and children who are post-transplant and not forgetting the ones who never got the call.

Sergio Petrucci, Founder, Red Sky Foundation said:

“We are delighted that Sunderland will play host and debut this powerful campaign and photography exhibition in the beating heart of the city. Sunderland is where the Red Sky Foundation came to fruition, and we are forever grateful to the team at The Fire Station for hosting this exclusive launch event.

What an amazing venue to exhibit the work of leading photographer Debbie Todd, a lady we’ve supported as she’s travelled the UK’s leading transplant wards to help capture the most poignant images which we have brought together in this thought-provoking exhibition.

We’re good at spotting an opportunity and have sponsored Debbie through this journey, we are also thrilled that Debbie has been nominated for a special award for ‘The Call’ and her astounding work.“

There are more than 200 children currently on the transplant list and ‘The Call’ has been created to plant a seed of thought and open conversations about organ donation and encourage members of the public to have the conversation about this hot topic as the team support families waiting for ‘The Call’.

Chloe Green will join the Red Sky Foundation team on the evening as a Guest Speaker. Chloe’s daughter Evie (4) has spent 200 days waiting for a new heart, and

living in The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. Chloe will take to the floor to discuss their journey and the importance of discussions around organ donation, with the backdrop of the striking images from Debbie Todd on view to the audience.

Debbie Todd said:

“This project was born out of a meeting with Beatrix who was waiting in hospital for a donor heart. She opened my eyes to things I had never imagined, and I felt the need to inform others about organ donation in children. My practise is socially engaged so aims to tell stories of marginalised people in the hope that it can change their outcome in life. Promoting discussion about organ donation is important as the subject is both taboo, and if I’m honest, one I had never even thought about until now.

Meeting all of the children who participated has really been an eye opener. Every child’s story and family situation is different, and the thing that most impacted me was the trauma for the family and wider community. All of the things that they have witnessed, the families they have met and the opportunities they have missed, as simple as sleeping in your own bed or walking on the beach, have made me realise how important it is to normalise discussion that could change a child’s future.“

Red Sky Foundation is a real example of how the smallest idea can grow to become something phenomenal and, more importantly, can make a life changing difference to so many people. The registered charity was born out of one simple wish, that couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci could give something back to the magnificent team at the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

This unit is nationally recognised and treats young people from across the UK every year – often making the difference between life and death to families. Terry Archbald (pictured) from Sunderland is Dad to Beatrix (2) whose little girl recently received a new heart after a year in hospital.

Terry said:

“Organ Donation, particularly in children has historically been an unspoken, taboo subject. Across the UK over 240 children wait for a life-saving transplant, they wait for years, living in hospital for the gift of life, for a chance at life.

For too many that gift does not arrive in time.

‘The Call’ is a fantastic, taboo shattering project that highlights the plight of those waiting. It sets seeds of thought about organ donation that could ripple outwards to save many lives.

It is great to see how the project, which started with photos of Beatrix, my little girl, has, with the support of Red Sky Foundation developed onto the international stage. Huge appreciation to Debbie for having the courage to step up and break down barriers.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Claire Pickersgill .