The deadline for a unique competition with the chance to win a prize worth thousands of pounds has been extended.

Huddersfield entrepreneur and philanthropist Prof Graham Leslie CBE published his autobiography, Ahead Of The Curve, in July with all the money from its sale going to charity.

In a move that’s thought to be the first of its kind in the publishing industry, Graham also wanted to give people who buy the book the chance to win a prize that would be highly personal to them and one which would normally cost thousands of pounds.

The book includes a competition where people have to answer three questions and the winner will get specially commissioned artwork done by Royal artist Richard Gower, who lives in Upper Hopton, near Mirfield.

The autobiography is selling very well and has so far raised almost £15,000 for Making Waves which is the charitable side to the Waves day centre in Slaithwaite and takes members from Huddersfield, Kirklees and across West Yorkshire.

Waves is one of the most innovative day centres in the UK, helping people aged 18 and over with learning and/or physical difficulties to lead full lives with activities including performing arts, baking, making music, arts and crafts, virtual reality games, swimming, walks, horticulture, caring for animals, holidays and sharing what they do on social media.

The charity supports the centre and also provides respite care and overnight breaks when members’ families face a crisis.

The competition is detailed in the book and many people who have read it have already entered but with people now buying the book as Christmas presents Graham felt it important to give everyone a chance to enter as his way of thanking them for buying the book and supporting the charity.

The deadline has now been extended to midnight on Friday, January 24, 2025.

 

Richard Gower (left) with Graham Leslie CBE

 

Graham said: “The response to the book has been amazing so we’ve decided to give it another push in the run-up to Christmas as people are now buying them as presents. Don’t forget that every penny is going to a great charity and the chance to win a very unusual competition.”

Graham founded highly successful pharmaceuticals company Galpharm, became the instigator and driving force behind building Huddersfield’s stadium 30 years ago and was the founder chairman of Kirklees Stadium Developments Ltd.

He is known for his love of art and thought the chance to win personalised artwork by such a top artist is a highly unusual prize yet one the winner will treasure forever.

In his book Graham says of art: “I love art and the immense skill and creativity it involves never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Richard Gower is so talented and can paint in any style from Picasso to Van Gogh.”

Richard did a painting of Huddersfield Town centre back Christopher Schindler scoring the winning penalty at Wembley to send Town into the Premier League in 2017.

Richard painted Schindler taking the spot kick and did a limited edition of 50 which raised thousands of pounds for the Huddersfield Town Foundation, the Leslie Sports Foundation and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

He also did a painting depicting the Duke of Edinburgh’s last ever formal engagement which the Queen loved and is thought to be the only time she had accepted a painting that had not been specially commissioned.

The competition winner can have Richard paint whatever they want – be that their favourite place, building or even a portrait.

Richard is at heart an impressionist in the style of Monet, Renoir and Pissarro but his own series of works, called Reflections, have been likened to a modern-day Lowry.

Richard’s reputation as a British contemporary artist to follow – and collect – is growing, and the prices of his work are rising. Richard is represented by London galleries and takes bespoke commissions.

To have a chance to win the competition simply buy Graham’s book and the competition questions are revealed near the front along with information on how to enter.

The book, priced £10.99, is available in bookshops and online at https://www.gnbooks.co.uk/product/ahead-of-the-curve/

For full terms and conditions go to https://ah-pr.com/work/terms-and-conditions-for-chance-to-win-a-great-prize-for-people-who-buy-graham-leslies-autobiography-ahead-of-the-curve

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.