A LAUNCESTON couple opened up their home for a day of art, cake and mulled wine to raise funds for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Nick and Emma Smith, of Turniptree Arts, received terrible news in 2012 when their two-year-old son Baxter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The happy, boisterous five-year-old finished three years of chemotherapy in September this year so they decided to put on the exhibition on Saturday as a way of closing a fearful chapter in their lives and raising money for a charity so vital in looking after children with cancer and their families.

Emma said: “My nerves evaporated in the morning, the rain stopped for me and we had a lovely day.

“Although the exhibition didn’t officially start until 10am, I opened up an hour early for some talented local school children to view my paintings and bring their artwork to discuss, which was an absolute pleasure.

“Then at 10am it started. I had over 50 people visit and lost track a bit after a while. Everyone enjoyed themselves with coffee and cake and mulled wine, and sales of art and prints were very good. Everyone was so generous.

“It was wonderful to have so many families with children, and there were babies playing, a lady breastfeeding and lots of older couples. It was like I had the whole gambit of human life in my living room and it has made me very emotional.

“The pieces in the art exhibition were mostly created during Baxter’s treatment and we feel so humbled by everyone’s generosity and support.

“It was a lovely way to raise money, and awareness and close this chapter of our lives. Thank you to everyone who helped and donated.”

Turniptree Arts raised more than £300 pounds for CLIC Sargent from entrance fees, donations for refreshments and from the sale of one of the drawings.

To view some of the pieces from the exhibition, search for Turniptree Arts on Facebook.

Emma plans to hold another fundraising art show in the summer.