Hare sculpture auction raises £250k for hospice

St Elizabeth Hospice community nurse Joanna Seale encouraged the audience to bid on the sculptures during the event

An eye-catching art trail and auction has raised thousands of pounds for a charity dedicated to helping people with progressive and life-limiting illnesses.

Hop to it! Suffolk 2025, which was St Elizabeth Hospice's fourth trail, saw more than 130 sculptures displayed throughout the county between June and August.

The large colourful creations popped up in lots of locations, including Ipswich, Beccles, Felixstowe, Lowestoft, and Woodbridge.

Last night, the sculptures went under the hammer at a packed-out auction held at Milsoms, in Kesgrave, raising more than £250,000 for the charity.

Celia Joseph, St Elizabeth Hospice's community and projects fundraising manager, said the "hare-mazing" night was the "perfect way to bring the art trail to a close".

"It was a real community event and one that would not have been possible without everyone's fantastic support," she added.

"The awareness and funds raised will make such a difference to the St Elizabeth Hospice, as we continue to develop our services."

The auction was described as the "perfect way" to bring the summer art trail to a close

The art trail was supported by East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, and a range of artists contributed to it.

The auction, attended by more than 200 people and conducted by Clarke and Simpson, surpassed the £163,590 raised by the hospice's last art auction in 2022.

One of the many winning bidders to put their hands in their pockets was Charlie Clarke, who purchased the Built on the River sculpture.

Mr Clarke, whose wife Wendy was supported by the hospice in 2023, said: "Wendy and I went to the hospice's Pigs Gone Wild auction in 2016 and were lucky to win the statue, Refugee, which now lives in our garden.

"Wendy loved that evening, and winning again tonight feels even more meaningful."

The event was attended by more than 200 people

St Elizabeth Hospice supports more than 4,000 people living with progressive and life-limiting illness in East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney every year.

Annually, these services cost about £12m to run, with 70% of funds needed being raised through local community support.

"The hospice is such a special organisation that supported us so much, and knowing the money raised goes to them is incredible," added Mr Clarke.

"Most importantly, the real winner tonight is St Elizabeth Hospice."