Children being cared for at a hospice are featuring in an exhibition designed to raise awareness of the charity and their work.

World famous fashion photographer Juergen Teller was invited to visit the Demelza Hospice Care for Children centres at Bobbing and south east London last year and capture images of the youngsters and their families.

The charity provides specialist care and emotional support for hundreds of children with terminal conditions and it is hoped the exhibition in London, called Demelza Kids, will increase their profile.

Scroll down to hear from Demelza chief exec Ryan Campbell

Mr Teller, born in Germany in 1964, said: "I approached this project as I do with any other: the same respect, directness and honesty – how I truly felt it should be done – the way I might photograph a portrait of a friend, a celebrity, a landscape scene or my own children. I photographed the children as honestly as I could without shying away from the brutal truth of what I was confronting.

"What struck me most was the overwhelmingly warm response from the parents and how thankful they were. To see and feel the parents’ pure love, patience, care and the challenges they face was the most amazing and touching experience. Working with Demelza has moved me deeply."

Demelza chief executive Ryan Campbell said:"Demelza provides hospice care for children with terminal conditions, but there is so much more involved with what we do than those words convey – our work is about life, not death.

"The images in Demelza Kids convey it much better. There is more joy, laughter and fun than there is sadness. Children are children; the children we have the privilege to work with are amazing and inspiring, and that is why we have partnered with Juergen Teller."

He added: "These families want to be seen, not hidden away and pitied.

"We are hugely grateful to Juergen for bringing his kindness and integrity to the project and using his unique skills to create awareness amongst a whole new and powerful group of potential supporters, which will enable us to help many more children and families make the most of their often limited but incredibly special time together."

• Demelza Hospice celebrated its 20th anniversary last year

The artwork is on display at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London, from today until Tuesday, April 16, from 9am to 4.30pm and from and 11am to 3pm on Sunday. It is closed on Saturday.

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