Dreamt up by Skye Petho, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year, and friends Necia Waghorn and Sue Jogever, ‘If We All Had Wings’ is raising funds to help local families facing financial hardship while receiving cancer treatment.

Business owner, artist and mother of two, Skye Petho, said when people are working through the physical, emotional and psychological issues of cancer treatment, they shouldn’t need to worry about their finances.

“When someone we know is touched by cancer and undergoing treatment, the physical impact is visible – hair loss, weight loss, looking tired. But it’s the financial stresses we can’t see that really take their toll,” Skye said.

“For those that need to relocate for treatment, single parent families, primary income earners, business owners, and those that don’t have insurance, the financial pressures can be crippling when they are forced to take time off for cancer treatment and recovery.

“We hope to add to the support already provided by the North Coast Cancer unit to increase the amount of financial assistance patients are currently receiving via the institute’s counselling services.”

The first art installation is an enormous, interactive mural painted on the wall outside Skye’s business, Arthouse Industries, on Sunset Parade.

Painted by local artists Mel Casey and Adam Murray, the artwork is already attracting plenty of attention as people pause to take photos, share them on social media and contemplate the effects of cancer.

The group’s first fundraising dinner and public art display will be held at Drury Lane on Friday, July 1. Guests will enjoy a three course meal and a glass of wine. Tickets are $100 and available at livetix.com.au.

“We’re encouraging everyone to purchase their own set of beautiful laser cut acrylic angel wings to be part of the display that will be hung in the trees in the Glasshouse Forecourt.” There are four colours to choose from and they are available at Arthouse Industries, Drury Lane or online www.arthouseindustries.com.au

Skye said fundraising through art was providing her with something beautiful and positive to focus on, and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

“It’s great to see the community getting involved with the public artworks. They’re already raising awareness and providing inspiration and hope. If we all had wings, we might just fly.”

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