Charity Mind will hold its first art auction, with pieces by Damien Hirst, Chris Ofili and others

Mental health charity Mind is to hold its first online art auction, selling donated artworks by a host of renowned contemporary artists including Martin Creed, Damien Hirst, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Molly Goddard, Jeremy Deller, Chris Ofili, Sarah Maple, Hayden Kays, Ben Eine, Bobby Baker, Mona Hatoum and Stuart Semple.

Funds raised will go towards the charity’s Creative Therapies Fund, which supports Mind’s art classes for people with mental health problems.

Martin Creed has donated two hand-painted, limited edition vinyls featuring songs by the artist’s band, produced by Franz Ferdinand’s Andy Knowles. Chris Ofili and David Zwirner Gallery have donated a litho print of his 2005 work Afro Harlem Muses, estimated at £4,650.

The Creative Therapies Fund was set up by Mind and Stuart Semple in 2012, and so far the art classes have supported 1,300 people through 28 projects in England and Wales. Stuart has an ongoing anxiety disorder and says he knows “the power that creativity has in contributing to positive mental health”.

“I honestly believe if I hadn’t been able to express myself through painting I might not be here today. Even now, when I’m going through a tough patch my art is there to help me through it.

“At a time where the need for mental health services is at an all-time high, and resources sadly are limited, the fund is more important than ever," Stuart continues. "Sometimes people find it hard to express what they are going through by using words, so creative therapies make a lot of sense. To be able to provide creative outlets for those that desperately need them, with proper trained professionals in therapeutic environments is so important.

“Creativity is how we express ourselves and once people connect, or re-connect to that capacity, we see amazing change. I know that this fund, and the projects it supports, has a massive potential to make a huge impact on so many lives.”

The Mind auction is live for bids on auction site Paddle8 from today until 29 June 2017.