Leah Fawthrop

Marion’s Artree is a fundraising initiative to raise money to research for a cure for Meniere’s Disease (www.menieresresearch.org.au) and to support Meniere’s Australia (www.menieres.org.au) who provide support and counselling for people suffering from Meniere’s Disease.

The funds raised here will be used to print the Marion's ARTREE image on teatowels and as christmas cards and tags for sale at Summer Art Bazaar in Newcastle see (www.artbazaar.com.au), Saturday 7th December and at Galleries around Australia. Money will be raised by selling works of art with a Christmas theme and Art Christmas Decorations: the decorations will be handmade by Artists, Craftworkers and Designers then generously donated for sale on Artrees proposed around the country. See www.marionsartree.com

Marion’s Artree is named in honour of the organiser’s sister who passed away in 2008. Marion suffered from Meniere’s Disease right up until she passed away aged 49, suffering regular sustained attacks that were increasing in ferocity to the point she just couldn't cope anymore. Marion’s Artree also acknowledges Marion’s great passion and support, not only for the Arts but for life, justice and humanity. So my aim is to create a fun happy event to celebrate what a wonderful, loved, inspirational and generous sole Marion was.

Meniere’s Disease is a condition of the inner ear which is characterised by sudden and recurring violent attacks of unrelenting vertigo, often lasting for hours and in more extreme cases, days. It is also associated with nausea and vomiting together with hearing loss, tinnitus and a blocked up feeling in the affected ear. Between attacks, sufferers will be in good health, although are often very anxious about when the next attack may occur.

Marion had suffered from her early 20’s from debilitating attacks that would come with little or no warning. Over the years, the attacks became more acute and lasted longer. She never knew when the next one was coming and it made earning an income and living a “normal” life an impossibility.
Marion had only been diagnosed in the previous 5 or so years and so for many years suffered the attacks without being able to put a name to it, or in fact, how to deal with them. Even with the diagnosis the Doctor’s weren’t able to tell her much, or give her any real support and the search for the correct regime of medication was an exhausting, stressful and long process. All she knew was that she had Vestibular Meniere’s Disease and the attacks were getting worse and lasting longer as she got older.
Marion was a very generous soul and had volunteered her time with the Aids Council in the early ‘80’s, a time when most people would shun anyone with Aids. She was also a huge supporter of the visual and performing Arts and mixed in these circles in Brisbane. All her friends knew they could rely on her for support, emotionally and practically and she was the “go to person” for love and nourishing encouragement.

To promote Marion's ARTREE, promotional postcards and posters will need to be printed with a budget of $500 for this purpose.
Additionally I want to have tea towels printed with the ARTREE image for sale at summer Art Bazaar and Art Galleries. Gwynneth Jones, a wonderful Artist and Illustrator designed the Artree for me and it is such a beautiful image that really does remind me of Marion and our family christmas'.
Christmas gift cards and tags will also be printed using the ARTREE image and other donated images. I need the funding to cover the initial print costs and am hoping with enough generosity from around the world I really can raise enough money to find a fun way to FUNdraise for Meniere's Disease research and support.
The total expenses for Printing will be $5,500
The expected generated income will be $9200

The challenge is ensuring people hear about Marion's ARTREE and want to come and support us by buying beautiful handcrafted christmas themes works. The Herald has been supportive with a wonderful article in their Saturday edition with two more scheduled. I am already receiving a lot of enquiries and donations of handmade and designed christmas decorations, so believe I am getting the right mix.

If I don't receive the targeted funding for printing expenses, I can lower the print run to match the donations.