ARTWORK auctioned at a sell-out event raised hundreds of pounds for City Hospice.

An Evening with Grand Slam Heroes was recently hosted, hosting rugby legends James Hook, Adam Jones, Lee Byrne, and Ryan Jones along with their former manager and compère for the evening Sean Holley.

Tickets for the event at Vale Sports Arena earlier this month (November) sold-out, and South Wales artist Christina Hartery – who owns and runs Julias Gallery – painted an original piece of art on acrylics on canvas.

The painting was a portrait of James Hook, Adam Jones, Lee Byrne, and Ryan Jones with the British and Irish Lions emblem behind them – the four rugby stars signed the piece which went up for auction at the sold-out event.

This artwork was put up for auction with Sean Holley auctioneering and TMH promotions supporting. The auction for this painting on the night was in aid of Cardiff’s City Hospice, represented by Nicky Piper MBE who is the Corporate Business Manager at the hospice.

A couple from North Wales won the auction for £450 – Hodge Foundation price matched this, meaning a total of £900 was raised for the charity through the auction for the painting.

Artist Christina Hartery said: “The painting has found its right home. I am so pleased to have been a contributor of such a worthy cause such as The City Hospice.”

Liam Hartery, who was at the event and took photos during the evening, added: “The event was wonderful with many funny stories told by the rugby stars; many of these tales had the crowd in a chorus of laughter.

“The aspects of rugby were discussed with humour even when some of the stories regaled had some lows!

“A great night was had by all of Welsh history with these four rugby legends.”

To find out more about City Hospice visit cityhospice.org.uk