Artist Helena and auctioneer specialist Ellie became supportive friends after their respective dads’ brain tumour diagnosis.
Chiswick Auctions specialist Ellie Smith’s dad is living with a glioma brain tumour diagnosis since collapsed at his work as a radiologist at Ipswich Hospital in 2024, while Helena’s father died from a brain tumour last year.
RCA alumni Helena has supported The Brain Tumour Charity previously with exhibitions, auctions and a book 100 Stories, featuring personal experiences of cancer.
RCA-acclaimed artist
Helena Traill is an established neurodivergent British artist whose en plein air oil paintings transform landscapes into sensory experiences. She paints directly from life, using instinctive brushstrokes and vibrant colour to capture fleeting moments in nature.
Her debut solo show, en plein air (2025), featured 30 works painted across the UK and was dedicated to her late father, Philip Traill (1965-2024), who lived with brain tumours for 24 years. Painting has become both her passion and a tribute to his creative legacy.
Helena’s gavel sculpture and painting, created for Bidpath’s charity auction, depicts Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey – a place Helena often visited with her father. The piece honours their shared love of nature and supports causes close to her heart.
“I was honoured when I received an email from Ellie, being asked to paint one of the gavels for three very important charities. I was actually on my way to deliver paintings of sculptures and then took on the challenge to paint on sculpture!
“Ellie found my work on The Brain Tumour Charity website, which was a full circle moment as it’s the main charity I support, from a previous 113-mile bike ride, to now a charity art auction.
“My painting of ‘The Gavel: From Arboretum to Auction’ is very personal, connecting my father’s story and my memories with him. I look forward to seeing it at auction.”
Ellie’s dad
“My Dad, Simon Smith, is a wonderful consultant radiologist who has worked as a doctor for the NHS for 34 years. Throughout his career he published many academic papers and is highly regarded in the world of radiology, for his research and his Clinical Lead roles.
“In January 2024 he suffered an unexpected seizure at work which led to him being intubated in intensive care for several days. After a scary investigation period, he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. Following surgery at Addenbrookes in April, he is now responding well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, however, coming to terms with his prognosis, and the uncertainty of each day has been tough for us all.
“I cannot begin to articulate how proud I am of his, and my family’s strength and determination. We have always been incredibly close and championed making the most out of bad situations, celebrating the big and small moments of every day as a close unit.“Since his diagnosis, along with my two younger sisters and our mum, Louise, who is a wonderful Oncology nurse herself, I have been fundraising for brain tumour charities. We have done all sorts, from huge pub quizzes to head shaves, bake sales, half-marathons and doing the 24-hour three peaks challenge which I completed in May this year. Together we have raised close to £30,000 so far!
“I work as a Paintings Specialist at Chiswick Auctions and wanted to find a way to combine my love of the artworld with fundraising, so when Bidpath contacted me about the trail, I was determined to take part and find an artist whose work reflects my own passion for this cause.”
Helena’s gavel and painting will be on display at the Chiswick Gallery, London, from 1 September to 31 October 2025, with online bidding opening 1 September until the auction on the 6 November. Bidding will be online and in person on the night of the sale.
Funds raised will go to The National Brain Appeal and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Find out more about the sculpture auction
Ellie and her dad pictured, fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity