Artist with a heart of glass

Tony Wynne raised the money from the sale of bespoke handmade glass hearts as well as a talk on his work to the village WI group during National Heart Month in February.

Tony, who originally began working in the engineering field, changed to working with glass after a change in his own health.

Tony said: “The way light passes through glass with its rich intensity of colour has never ceased to thrill me.

“I love working with glass and creating beautiful pieces of art and the BHF heart theme with Valentines seemed an ideal mix to raise funds for the charity.

“My wife Michelle works with cardiac patients at The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and I know about the great support the BHF provides to heart patients.

“I love to approach my work with an open and creative mind and use the traditional skills which have stood the test of time but apply them in a contemporary way.”

Students at Tony’s studio in Sedlescombe contributed ideas and helped towards the target.

As well as individual commissions and pieces of glass for sale, Tony also runs courses throughout the year for complete beginners from one day workshops, ten week courses and even includes team building days.

Kim Brophy, fundraising volunteer manager of the BHF, said: “It is a real pleasure to receive this donation from Tony towards our life-saving work.

“This amount of money could help to fund a full day’s BHF heart nursing care. 

“In this time a heart nurse could care for up to six patients to help them manage their condition and prevent further hospital re-admissions or it could cover the cost of ‘supply cover’, allowing teachers the time away from classes to be trained as BHF Heartstart instructors, able to teach vital emergency life support skills to their pupils which the BHF help fund.”