Hand Of Hope: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka inspires anti‑racism art drive
The Hand Of Hope anti‑racism campaign, sparked by Bukayo Saka’s comforting gesture after England’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy, is set to raise up to £100,000, signalling a concrete step forward in the fight against vile abuse targeting Arsenal’s star.
Hand Of Hope campaign details
The campaign is fronted by world‑leading artists, most notably Hayden Bone, who has served as Arsenal’s official club artist for the last five years. Bone’s involvement adds credibility and artistic weight to the initiative.
Among the 39 exclusive paintings slated for auction, Bone has contributed eight pieces, including one that portrays Bukayo Saka. These works form a core part of the collection that will go under the hammer.
The gesture that inspired the collection occurred when an England staff member comforted Saka after the heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. A photographer captured the moment, and the image quickly went viral worldwide.
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Bone said, “I couldn’t be more strongly in support of Bukayo and the defeat of racism. I have painted him many times… These paintings are a fitting tribute to him and all the other great athletes who have overcome the sickness of racism.” His statement underscores the personal commitment behind the artwork.
Omar Meziane, England’s Head Athlete Performance Chef at the time, recalled the scene, noting the natural reaction and praising manager Gareth Southgate for fostering a close camp. Meziane, now at Nottingham Forest, added, “I saw Bukayo in the moment of despair… his eyes were empty, I knew what was coming.”
The collection also features stars such as Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry, Serena Williams, Chris Gayle, Vinicius Junior, Neymar and Lewis Hamilton, all united in a centrepiece titled “Remember Who You Are.” The auction aims to raise up to £100,000 for anti‑racism initiatives and the encouragement of youth art worldwide. Who will benefit from the funds are anti‑racism programmes and youth art initiatives worldwide. The story was reported by Daniel Marsh, Senior Sports Reporter13:25, on 14 Aug 2026, with ImagesBukayo.