City woman scales dizzy heights of London for charity

THIS summer a Birmingham woman will quite literally make an exhibition of herself as she climbs feet into the air with a notebook, sits calmly in a chair and remains there for a whole hour. Forty-nine-year-old Kay Lockley is just one of 2400 people who will mount the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in July to become part of a unique piece of art showcasing humanity and herself. For a long time dubbed ‘the empty plinth,’ a number of statues of Kings and Queens have already occupied the monument but from July, acclaimed artist Antony Gormley will transform it into a unique piece of art that will be screened live on Internet TV channel SkyArts.

For one hundred consecutive days, 2400 selected members of the public will each spend an hour on the plinth and whilst they have been given the freedom to use their time high up in the air completely how they want to, Kay will spend her hour raising awareness of an illness very close to her heart.

Nine years ago Kay was diagnosed with a disease known as Lupus; a common illness that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation by lupus can affect many different bodily systems including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.
When Kay first heard of the initiative via national press, she decided to enter, never expecting that she would actually be picked to have an hour on the plinth,
“I just entered randomly on the site and when I found out that I had been picked at random to have an hour on the plinth I was just shocked.
“I always knew I wanted to do something for Lupus to raise awareness. It is such a common disease and so difficult to spot. You could be in a room full of lupus sufferers and each person could have different symptoms so I am keen to get the message across to raise awareness of this disease and help let people know what to do if they suspect they may have it.”

Kay will have her large notebook and pen at her side throughout the whole experience and will use it to write small messages about the disease, holding it towards the crowd so that passers-by can stop and learn something from her ordeal. She will also have a host of family and friends walking around Trafalgar Square below her, handing out leaflets and giving advice to those who seek it.

The first time Kay has chosen to help boost the cause for lupus sufferers everywhere, she has already been overwhelmed by the amount of attention that her conquest has gained and even has a facebook page set up for members of the public to pledge their support.
“The press and attention I have had since I was awarded an hour on the plinth has been extraordinary. I did a radio interview a few days ago, which was a little scary but really good fun. It is all starting to become real for me now and all this attention is great for lupus sufferers.
“Originally, I was only going on the plinth to raise awareness of lupus but as people have heard of what I am doing, many have offered to sponsor me. I’m not looking for a specific amount of money for sponsorship or anything like that. I just want as many people to know about lupus as possible but if anyone wants to leave a donation to the lupus charity then that is brilliant and obviously I welcome them to do so.”

Kay will take to the plinth in Trafalgar Square on July 26 from 7pm-8pm and welcomes all support. If you wish to make a donation to Lupus UK in her honour, visit www.lupusuk.org.uk or phone 0845 021 2110. To pledge your support and leave messages of goodwill to Kay ahead of her conquest, join her facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Kay-Lockley-on-the-forth-plinth-in-aid-of-Lupus-UK/97066122092?ref=mf