“My name is Shany Hagan. I am from Yorkshire, UK. I was almost blind all my life. 3 years ago, I underwent eye surgery. My vision was restored miraculously. It was a miracle to me. I began to paint, and within two weeks I began to receive art commissions from the biggest stars in the world. I decided to start helping people and charities, donating my art, raising £300k so far.
After spending a lifetime with defective eyesight, I finally had eye surgery at 51, and for the first time in my life I wasn’t struggling to see. I am so grateful to the wonderful NHS, which made me able to help people. After recovering, I decided to try to raise some money. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this until my son said, “Mum, you should start painting again.” Having not picked up a paint brush for 30 years, I thought I would give it a go. I started posting my work online. A couple of weeks later, the most amazing things started to happen. I was beginning to receive commissions from some of the biggest stars in the world. Nearly 3 years on, I’ve raised £300k by donating my artwork to charities in the UK and USA”.
After spending a lifetime with defective eyesight, I finally had eye surgery at 51, and for the first time in my life I wasn’t struggling to see. I am so grateful to the wonderful NHS, which made me able to help people. After recovering, I decided to try to raise some money. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this until my son said, “Mum, you should start painting again.” Having not picked up a paint brush for 30 years, I thought I would give it a go. I started posting my work online. A couple of weeks later, the most amazing things started to happen. I was beginning to receive commissions from some of the biggest stars in the world. Nearly 3 years on, I’ve raised £300k by donating my artwork to charities in the UK and USA”.
I was invited to the ball’s closing ceremony at RAF Scampton in September because I would be painting the champion’s final painting. I took along two sample paintings, and all the Reds and John Nichol signed them. I presented them to the U.K. Military for (Military vs. Cancer ). The paintings will be in a year-long auction, so they will raise lots of money for yet another charity I’m helping. A sample of charities I’ve helped: NHS, Mental Health, Brain Tumour, York Carers Centre, Parkinson’s UK Homeless, The Great Ormond Street Hospital, Refuge from domestic violence, The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, The Frank Bruno Foundation, Buddy Holly Educational Foundation USA, Autism, UCLH, Eddie Kidd OBE charity, Military VS Cancer, RAF Scampton the home to the Red Arrows, Macmillan Cancer, Noble’s Hospital in the Isle of Man Covid Ward
I faced a lot of challenges but did not give up. I struggled all my life with Dyslexia and bad eyesight, so I failed at school. Even with very poor eyesight, I managed to get into a school of Art purely on my talent. Having passed an A-level foundation course, I then went on to study fashion design and won a national award for best designer sponsored by a top UK brand. I believe that determination and willpower are the keys to success. I was forced to change career paths at the age of 20, so I worked in sales for almost 30 years. I think changing careers is harder than ever. I was furloughed from work during the peak of COVID. It was definitely a big obstacle, but I was able to overcome it with determination and willpower