Duncan Edwards artwork raises £600 for NHS

The Duncan Edwards Foundation wanted to raise funds for the ward treating Steve Donoghue, who set up Manchester United group the Stretford Enders, after he caught coronavirus earlier this year.

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Rose Cook Monk, who set up the foundation based in Dudley, came up with the idea of creating artwork of Duncan Edwards using words associated with him – as well as asking supporters to donate £5 to have their name included in the finished piece, which is made up from all the names and words.

She said: “One of our supporters who runs the Stretford Enders group in Manchester, Steve, came down with Covid-19 and he was only given a 20 per cent chance of surviving.

"Some of the Manchester United fans brought out a T-shirt to raise funds for the ward he was receiving treatment.

“But as a foundation we wanted to raise money, so I came up with the artwork idea. It includes all names associated with Duncan, including Dudley, his parent’s and fiancee’s names, the names of the other Busby Babes.

"To raise money we asked supporters to put £5 in to have their names featured in the piece. It has raised £600 for the ward now.

"Thankfully Steve has gotten much better, he was really quite poorly and his chances of living were slim. Thankfully, he’s been doing much better. The original artwork will be donated to Steve.

"We have a canvas print version in the new Duncan Edwards Museum, and we will be selling print versions of it.”

The Duncan Edwards Museum, also founded by Rose Cook Monk who runs the Duncan Edwards Foundation, will open to the public on August 14.

The Castle Street museum also features a host of memorabilia relating to Duncan’s life – including his school tie and a desk representing his schooldays – as well as items relating to his footballing success.

For more information about the museum, or to purchase the artwork, call Rose on 07701 092994, or email rose@duncanedwardsfoundation.co.uk.