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27The English Newspaper for Gran Canaria TheCanaryNews.com News, Views & Sunshine Summer 2014 PASSIONANDCOMPASSIONKay´s Corner In a BBC interview in 1985 Bob Geldof achieved the theretofore unim- aginable when he uttered the “F word” on live TV, delivering his shock- ingly direct appeal to every viewer in the country “Just give us your effing money”; this dramatic 6 word demand seemingly ensured the success of the new famine relief charity ‘Live Aid’. Having seen the dev- astation and images of children literally starving to death in the Ethiopia crisis, his compassion boiled over, birthing a deeply felt passion which determined him to influence things for the better. Live Aid raised a staggering £150 million. A forerunner to Geldof, by nearly 250 years, and possibly the world’s first ‘charity gig’ was held in 1750, when the phil- anthropic Sea Captain, Thomas Coram, who had set up London’s Foundling Hospital for abandoned children, managed to persuade no less a personage than the great George Frederic Handel to direct a performance of his work “Messiah” right there within the precincts of the home, in the chapel, to mark the presentation of an organ, and subsequently gifting them a full score of his greatest orato- rio and becoming a governor of the institution. ‘Handel’s Messiah’, itself the embodiment of the Passion and Compas- sion of Christ, thus achieved an iconic status which it has never relin- quished. It was the Live Aid of its day, provoking a massive public re- sponse. Famous artists exhibited there, thus ensuring wealthy patrons – people with a passion for art and music flocked in, saw the orphans and were filled with a compassion which was then reflected in their generous giving. More recently at an Easter Charity performance of Messiah, I heard repeated the following story which simply bursts with passion and compassion. “A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art by many famous men. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. A conflict broke out and the son went to war and died while coura- geously rescuing another soldier. The father grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, answering a knock at his door he found a young man on the doorstep holding a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He was a hero who was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck his heart. He often talked about you, and your love of art.” The young man proffered the package saying “I›m not really much of a painter, but will you to accept this.” The father opened the package and beheld a portrait of his son. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured his son’s personal- ity; especially drawn to the eyes, which seemed to gaze fondly out at him; his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. He gave his life ... the ultimate sacrifice. This is just a small gift to you, something to remember your son by - and to show my gratitude.” The father hung the portrait in pride of place, showing visitors the portrait of his son before they viewed the great works of art. When the old man died an auction of his magnificent pictures took place. Many influential collectors gathered there, hoping to add to their own private collections. On the platform sat the canvas of the son which the young soldier had painted for the father. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will be- gin with this picture – it is a portrait of the vendor’s son. Who will start the bidding?” he asked. A voice shouted out, “We want the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will somebody please bid for this paint- ing? Who will start me off - £200?” “We didn›t come for this unknown - we came for the Picasso’s and the Rembrandt’s” someone shouted. “Get on with the auction”. The auctioneer persisted “Please- who›ll take the son?” Then came a voice from the back. It was the old gardener who had worked for years on the family’s estate, fondly watching the boy grow up. “I›ll bid £10” he said, “It’s all I can afford.” Take his £10”, came an exasperated shout. “Bring on the Masters.” All they wanted were investments to add to their valuable collections. The auctioneer pounded his gavel ... “Going once, going twice ... SOLD - for £10!” A man asked plaintively, “Now, please may we get on with the busi- ness?” The auctioneer laid down his gavel saying “Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is over.” There was a stunned silence. “I am sorry, but when I was called upon to conduct this sale, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will of the vendor, which I am now at lib- erty to reveal. Only the painting of the son was to be auctioned. Who- ever bought that painting would inherit the old man’s entire estate, including all the works of art” he concluded. The old gardener subsequently donated several of the famous works to art galleries where they could be enjoyed by the general populace. Se- rious money from the sale of the remainder was divided between two charities...notably the families of war victims and World Famine Relief. Summer 2014. Kay Owen