Auction of Bronson art for assault victim

The Cambrian News
25th March 2010
By Norman Williams

ARTWORK by one of Britain's most notorious violent criminals will be auctioned at a special event to raise money for a Penrhyncoch victim of a vicious assault, who has finally returned home after six months in hospital.

Penrhyncoch teenager Tirion Lewis was beaten to within an inch of her life when she and her friend, Miriam Evans, were savagely attacked in the village in September.

Friends and family have rallied round to support Tirion, who still has a long battle ahead in her recovery

Her return home has given her family a boost, and her father, Dilwyn Lewis, remains cautiously optimistic about Tirion making a full recovery.

He is thrilled by the support shown for his daughter - and from an unexpected quarter in the case of artwork by Charles Bronson, who is dubbed 'Britain's most violent prisoner' and has served over 36 years, mostly in 'solitary'.

Dilwyn said: "Tirion was finally allowed home about 10 days ago, although she will still return to Morriston Hospital, Swansea, for regular checks and therapy.

"And she he will be returning to Morriston for another operation on her face in about a month.

"She is certainly coming along, but very slowly, and we are aware that recovery will be a long, long job. But she is getting stronger in herself, which is encouraging after her six months in hospital.

"But her memory is a problem after the terrible head injuries which she suffered.

"The support for Tirion is great, and the family is grateful to everyone involved in this."

The next major fundraising events planned to raise money for Tirion s care and welfare take place over the weekend 29 - 30 May.

One of the principal organisers, Debbie Jenkins of Penrhyncoch, said: "The local community was devastated by the horrific attack on Tirion.

"And the local community of Aberystwyth intends to raise money to assist Tirion and her family, with a charity extravaganza at the end of May."

Events planned include a 24-hour return run from Penrhyncoch to the summit of Snowdon; an Aberystwythh v Penrhyncoch over 40s soccer match; a tea and coffee morning; "118 118" pub collections, and a disco.

A sponsored horse ride is also being arranged in June.

There will, in addition, be an auction and a raffle.

And fund-raisers were surprised when an offer of artwork by Charles Bronson came from his brother, Mark Peterson of Talybont.

Mark Peterson said that his brother - born Michael Peterson - was affected when he heard of the attack on 19-year-old Tirion Lewis.

Mark, and his mother Eira who lives in Aberystwyth, still refer to Bronson as 'Michael'.

Mark told the Cambrian News: "Michael told me that he wanted to help Tirion in some way, so he asked if he could donate some artwork for auction and I was pleased to do that on his behalf."

Main picture shows Mark Peterson (right) presents his brother Charles Bronson's drawing to Dorothy Jones, Debbie Jenkins, Mel Evans and Capt Colin Jones MBE for the auction Left: Tirion Lewis, who has left hospital after six months.