Leeds Met student’s 24 hour earthquake appeal

13/12/05

A 24 hour marathon draw-in by Leeds Met graphics, fine art and creative practice students was organised to raise money for the Pakistan Earthquake appeal.

Tom Ashton-Booth, Patrick Gildersleaves, Jamie Patton and Ben Summers, second year students from the Faculty of Arts and Society, sat in the foyer of the University’s Civic Quarter Campus for 24 hours drawing cartoons and pictures while inviting passers-by to do their own drawing and contribute to the Earthquake Fund.

Ben said: “I love drawing and I’d wanted to do a 24 hour drawing event for ages. Then I saw the need of the people hit by the earthquake in Pakistan and I though I should organise it for charity.”

The others joined in and the divided up the tasks of getting sponsorship and permission and support from the University’s various departments. Tom said: “The University’s Helpzone gave us guidance and we got pens and paper from places like Pentel, Jowett and Sowry, Craftwise and WH Smith.”

Mark Cocksedge and Joe Wilson, both second year graphics students, managed a six hour session in the evening and returned in the morning to draw on.

As time passed there were highs and lows, but overall, Tom said: “It’s been brilliant. We’ve been surprised at the number of people who’ve been willing to draw.”