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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Robert Dex and Arts Correspondent

For your eyes only: Star photos to raise mental health awareness

Hundreds of famous faces with their eyes closed are on show in the West End to raise awareness of mental health.

Photographer Ray Burmiston took portraits of celebrities including acting stars Brian Cox, Damien Lewis, Emily Atack and Ruth Wilson, comedians Aisling Bea and Suzy Eddie Izzard, diver Tom Daley, ex-footballer Alex Scott and singer Beverley Knight.

The public are also being asked to send in a selfie for the Take A Moment project, with some being chosen to feature alongside the photos on show at the Piccadilly Lights and in the National Portrait Gallery.

Stephen Fry said: “It’s so important for our mental health to take a moment and this campaign serves as a powerful reminder to find the time to breathe, reconnect and regain a sense of clarity.

“I’m delighted to have been part of the genesis of the project and to have seen it evolve into something much bigger, offering space to people to reconnect... where members of the public can join hundreds of famous faces raising awareness for mental health.

A picture of singer Olly Murs shows him closing his eyes with thousands of fans at Flackstock, the festival set up in memory of TV presenter Caroline Flack.

Murs said: “It’s a powerful image that hopefully will remind people to check in on themselves more often. I couldn’t think of a more fitting place to capture this special moment with a very important message.”

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