Castle Howard's new Wellington art installation aims to help give cancer the boot

But despite its frivolity, a new art installation at the stately home near York has a serious meaning.

It has been created by Harrogate artist Anita Bowman to launch Yorkshire Cancer Research’s annual ‘Give it Some Welly’ fundraising campaign.

The charity, which is dedicated to helping Yorkshire people avoid and survive cancer, is celebrating the 191,000 people in Yorkshire who are living with or have survived cancer thanks to advances in early diagnosis and treatment.

The boot-based sculpture, entitled Give Cancer the Boot, is made up of 191 stainless steel boots, with each welly representing 1,000 people who are living with or have survived cancer in Yorkshire.

The art installation, which is located on the South Front in the grounds of Castle Howard, is now open to the public until Wednesday July 22.

The charity is aiming to raise £10m this year and is encouraging people to fundraise this Yorkshire Day, Saturday August 1, with a welly-themed idea - whether it is “wanging” them, wearing them, or baking some boot-themed cakes.

Chief executive Dr Kathryn Scott said: “In the past few months, life has come with increasing challenges and apprehension about what the future might hold, so the continued support of people in Yorkshire means more to us than ever before. With our ambitious target to fund £10m of world leading research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer every year, we need the people of Yorkshire to join us in raising life-changing funds, so we can continue our work in helping more people give cancer the boot for good.”

Castle Howard owner Nicholas Howard welcomed the event.

He said: “It is an honour to welcome Yorkshire Cancer Research to Castle Howard and to be supporting the charity in its work to help the people of Yorkshire live longer and healthier lives.”