Hospice's wallaby auction raises £250,000
It was a fond farewell to the island’s wallabies and a big hello to £250,700 in money raised towards Hospice Isle of Man.
The figure was the talk of the island following an auction night at the Villa Marina in Douglas, with the highest bid being £25,000 for ’Wallaby in the Jungle’, designed by artist Barbara Barker, which had been on display on Port Erin’s lower promenade.
All 26 large wallabies and three small wallabies were sold with two finding new homes in the United States and in the UK.
The Wallabies Gone Wild art trail, which lasted for 14 weeks starting in May, encouraged the public to get out and discover them across the island while raising the profile of the Manx charity.
Anne Mills, chief executive officer of Hospice Isle of Man, said: ’On behalf of Hospice Isle of Man I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our wallaby auction.
’We are all absolutely blown away by the generosity shown by the supporters bidding in the room, online and via the telephone.
’The amount raised is testament to both the spectacular artwork produced by our artists who provided us with quality lots to auction, and the incredible services delivered by Hospice staff and volunteers which encouraged our bidders to dig so deeply on the night. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the partners, sponsors, schools, trailmaker volunteers and community groups that made the Wallabies Gone Wild Trail possible.
’It has been a truly wonderful collaboration, one that has been so thoroughly enjoyed by everyone in our community, benefited so many local businesses and one that will continue to impact on people’s lives for many years.’
Hospice will have its own wallaby, called ‘Much More than a Wallaby’ by artist Kim Gee, returned. It may take up residence in the Hospice garden. For this wallaby, bidders were asked to pledge £1,000, with 17 people putting in bids.
Isle of Man Newspapers’ sponsored sculpture ’Where’s Wallaby’ by artist Donna Newman is now on display at the Mannin Hotel in Douglas. It was bought for £5,000.
A small collectable wallaby with signatures from TT stars, went for £6,000. It is staying here in the island.
Three quarters of the auction’s profits from the auction will go to Hospice to help support its services. The remaining 25% plus VAT goes to its event partners, Wild in Art.
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