Former Hastings teacher, 104, who raised £62,000 for charity, immortalised in art

A Hastings centenarian who raised more than £62,000 for charity has been immortalised in art.
Joan Willett with the portrait SUS-201210-164419001Joan Willett with the portrait SUS-201210-164419001
Joan Willett with the portrait SUS-201210-164419001

Joan Willett inspired the nation by walking the steep hill outside her care home four times a day until her 104th birthday, raising cash for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Now she has literally ‘captured the art’ of talented young artist Gemma Jones, from Staffordshire, who was so moved by Joan’s epic fundraising and spirit she contacted the charity offering to create a special portrait as a thank-you.

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Joan, who lives at Old Hastings House, had life-saving valve replacement surgery after her second heart attack when she was 82.

Artist Gemma Jones SUS-201210-164432001Artist Gemma Jones SUS-201210-164432001
Artist Gemma Jones SUS-201210-164432001

Since then she has walked the hill outside her care home daily to keep fit and independent.

In May, after watching Sir Captain Tom on TV, the former teacher decided to use her daily exercise to help fund the heart research she said allowed her to reach her 100th birthday and beyond.

With the help of her friend and care home worker Pauline Glenet, Joan set up a JustGiving page and has now raised £62,000 and counting, smashing her original target of £500.

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Joan has become a national treasure, appearing on national and regional TV, having her story erected on the iconic Piccadilly Circus lights in London, and even getting a personal message of support from Sir Captain Tom Moore.

She was recently shortlisted for the Pride of Britain ITV Meridian Fundraiser of the Year.

The latest honour has been having her portrait drawn by Gemma, who approached the BHF after seeing her story on the charity’s social media and in the national press.

Young mum Gemma spent a week painstakingly capturing Joan’s likeness before gifting it to Joan.

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Gemma, 30, said: “I’m not formally trained as an artist but have always had a passion and have had some professional commissions and my goal is to be a full-time artist.

“I love drawing people who have got a story to tell and trying to portray their character through my art.

“I was so inspired by Joan’s story and how amazing she is at her age I wanted to draw her and try to capture her remarkable spirit. With Joan I wanted to focus the detail on her face, and I kept going back to it to add to it over the course of about a week. I am so delighted she thinks I have done her justice.”

Joan said: “Gemma’s portrait of me is incredible, I can’t get over how much it looks like me. I was stunned when I received it and have written to Gemma to thank her.

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“The best thing about doing my walk for the BHF has been the kindness of total strangers like Gemma who have supported me.

“You rarely hear about the good things that people do, but the reaction I’ve had proves there’s so much kindness in the world and that keeps me going.”

Jason Denny, manager of Old Hastings House, said: “We unveiled the portrait to Joan at our weekly residents’ meeting and she was absolutely speechless, as was everyone else.

“Gemma has done a beautiful tribute to an amazing lady. The portrait now takes pride of place in the conservatory at Old Hastings House where everyone can enjoy it and continue to be inspired.”

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Gemma was so pleased with the reaction to her portrait that she is now working with the BHF as a volunteer on a project for its upcoming Heart Hero Awards, which will take place virtually this year on October 20.

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