Local artist David Hughes MBE is celebrating his 100th birthday with a charity art exhibition titled *Celebration* at Arts Centre Washington, running from 20 November to 20 December 2025. He has donated a collection of his paintings to STS Charity, the official charity of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, to raise funds for the Stroke Unit Fund and the Vision Appeal, which supports a new Eye Hospital in Sunderland opening in summer 2026. Hughes, who taught himself to paint after retiring at age 60, credits Sunderland Royal Hospital with saving his life twice—after a stroke in 2024 and a pacemaker procedure in 2010.
This story matters because it highlights the intersection of art, community, and healthcare philanthropy, showing how a centenarian artist is using his creative output to give back to the institution that saved his life. It underscores the therapeutic and social value of art for older adults, as Hughes encourages others to stay active and pursue passions regardless of age. The exhibition also draws attention to local healthcare needs and the role of grassroots fundraising in enhancing medical facilities, while celebrating a remarkable individual whose lifelong dedication to charity earned him an MBE in 2016.