Here’s a question for the readers of This is Haslemere. What do Tim Healy (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet), Jill Halfpenny (Coronation Street), Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale), Denise Welch (Loose Women), Sam Fender (chart-topping singer), Alan Titchmarsh and Fearne Cotton have in common with Haslemere? The answer, surprisingly, is butterflies, because this week more than forty will be coming to settle in the branch of Clarendon Fine Art in the High Street.

The name for a collection of butterflies is a kaleidoscope, which could not be more appropriate, for these wooden butterflies have all been lovingly hand-painted by artists (many local), writers, entertainers and broadcasters. Brought together in one place, they will bring a vibrant, lively, eye-catching splash of colour to our High Street. They are all mounted and framed and will be auctioned over the course of a week beginning on Saturday 3rd October to raise money for a charity called Oesophagoose. Haslemere resident, Caroline Wells, the inspiration and driving force behind Bountiful Butterflies, explains more about it.

“My mother, Judy, contracted oesophageal cancer two and a half years ago and received wonderful care from a team of specialists in this type of cancer at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The unit that treated my mother helped write the international staging manuals for this cancer, contributed to the NICE guidelines on catching it early and trains surgeons from around the world.” Like many people who have supported family and friends on a journey through cancer, Caroline now wants to raise the profile of this less common but increasingly prevalent type of cancer and the Bountiful Butterflies auction will raise money to support its world-leading research.

“Sadly, despite their care and expertise, Mum lost her battle two years ago. She was a real force of nature, strong and brave throughout and Dad and I want to do this in her memory. Oesophageal cancer is very often foundlate because the early signs look like heartburn. Finding it sooner is the point at which the outcome can change. This is what the charity is for, and it is what the auction of these butterflies will help to support,” Caroline said. “Oesophagoose is the Oesophago-Gastric cancer fund at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and is a registered charity. All money raised by the sale of the butterflies will go to this.”

So, why butterflies? “When we lose a loved one, we often look for signs that they are still around in some way and it’s often nature that provides us with that comfort,” Caroline explained. “In our case, since Mum died, we have had an abundance of butterflies in the garden and these beautiful creatures helped us to feel her presence. It seemed natural to try to use them when we decided we wanted to help the Royal Victoria and raise awareness of this dreadful illness.”

The full collection of butterflies will be on display in Clarendon Fine Art from Saturday 3rd October and can be viewed during opening hours. Bidding for each butterfly is online and runs from 1pm on Saturday 3rd until 10pm on the following Saturday, 10th October. “Many local artists have painted butterflies as well as renowned artists from around the UK.” The initiative has obviously struck a chord with the actors and broadcasters who have become involved and this has helped to give it good profile.

Many local businesses and organisations are supporting Bountiful Butterflies including Haslemere Rotary Club which has very generously donated the funding for each butterfly to be framed. Liphook Art and Framing have also been very generous, as have Marley Flowers who will help with the exhibition opening.

“Haslemere is an incredibly special town full of warm, generous people. Alongside the butterfly auction there is also an auction of items donated by local supporters. We have been really touched by the kindness shown to us.” Items that can be bid for include a spa day, a private Pilates class and a balloon flight. Bidding is open for these at the same time as the butterfly auction.

The people of Haslemere have also supported Caroline and her family in another, more unexpected way, which has clearly impressed her. “My father has moved down from Yorkshire to live with us and has been so warmly embraced by this town that it has made his recovery from Mum’s loss that much easier.”

Caroline has devoted much time to this unique, money-raising initiative for oesophageal cancer, and it is deserving of the support of the residents of Haslemere. The exhibition is on for a week so do pop into Clarendon Fine Art and if you can picture one of these beautiful pieces on your wall at home, log into the auction and put your bid in. Results will be announced on Sunday 11th October and successful bidders will be advised by email.

Let’s hope that a substantial amount of money is soon winging its way to Oesophagoose.