Remarkable resolve of Harrogate artist with inoperable cancer to inspire and help others

With just days before the show, which is raising funds for Harrogate's Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, closes at Art in the Mill gallery in Knaresborough, Sharon Carrick, has issued a message of hope.

Known professionally as Tinayre Carrick, she said: "I want my story to give inspiration to those who are fighting a similar fight to me and show that with a positive attitude, positive thinking and good treatment you can overcome amazing odds.

"Throughout the chemotherapy, I stayed positive by using art to create a daily sense of achievement.

"And it worked as visitors can see from the exhibition."

Showing incredible mental strength and reservoirs of emotional resolve, Sharon, who has taught more 400 students at the Rossett Adult Learning Centre over the years, found her life was turned upside down 18 months ago when cancer was diagnosed.

Things did seem to be progressing as well as could be hoped for as Sharon faced her illnesses' roller coaster ride of health concerns and treatments with characteristic candour and vigour.

Then came the bombshell news.

Sharon said: "In early 2019, I was diagnosed with anaemia after struggling with breathing and indigestion difficulties and immediately referred for further tests which confirmed I had bowel cancer.

"I was told my cancer hadn't spread and a subsequent operation in March seemed to have successfully removed it.

"The cancer was at stage three, so I was advised to undergo chemotherapy and introduced to the staff at The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre who administered the treatment.

"My first chemotherapy dose caused me to go into anaphylactic shock and I was immediately hospitalised as it attacked my nervous system.

"I was unable to touch anything cold or walk without severe pain and pins and needles.

"The treatment took a month to recover from and throughout that time I realised how extremely lucky I was to have such a fantastic team of doctors and nurses helping me to recover from the reaction.

"The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre then tried me on a new chemotherapy course of 8 rounds over six months, because I could only tolerate an 80% dose.

"During the long months of treatment, I yearned for a trip to Venice to celebrate my 50th birthday.

"The doctors were amazing and said I could pause my chemotherapy for such a special occasion, which looking back meant so very much to me and my husband and daughter.

"The trip to Venice was immensely inspiring and often I thought how amazing it was I had actually made it, so I decided to call this exhibition

"Sadly, since arranging the exhibition I've been diagnosed with peritoneum cancer, which is inoperable and incurable."

Sharon's final solo exhibition is called Was I Really There and runs at Art in the Mill in Green Dragon Yard in Knaresborough until this Friday, September 11.

Despite so many distractions in her life, Sharon has channelled deep felt emotions to produce an impressive body of work featuring in this solo show including some 20 original works inspired by her trip to Venice last year.

But Sharon herself says it is the fundraising which really counts.

Sharon said: "This exhibition is to say a huge, big 'thank you' to all the friends, family and professionals involved in my cancer care, without whom I most definitely wouldn't be here and to show them how their love and skill and kindness have inspired me."

"The money I raise from sales and donations will go straight to The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre so that they may continue their wonderful and urgent work."

This is when Harrogate's new fishmongers will open and where