Giraffe sculptures raise £140k for care leavers

The money raised from the auction will help support 18-year-olds leaving the care system

A giraffe sculpture trail has raised more than £140,000 for a charity which supports young people leaving the care system.

The 31 large and 62 mini sculptures were decorated by artists, schools and community groups and placed around Cambridge.

After 10 weeks in situ, they were auctioned off to raise funds for Break, a charity that supports care leavers who at 18 leave care, often with little or no support.

Eleanor Edge, Break partnership manager, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who dug deep and helped us raise such a phenomenal amount."

Auctioneer Natasha Raskin-Sharp, from BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow, took the bids

One sculpture, decorated with spring blossom by artist Charlie Stafford and sponsored by the University of Cambridge, raised £6,000.

The highest bid of the evening was £6,600 for Rachael Butler's design Iggles and Jiggles, a giant giraffe puzzle with a baby giraffe peeping out

The giraffes, which were decorated with a range of themes such as the environment, literature, science and nature, were auctioned off at an event at Graduate Cambridge hotel.

The 62 mini versions were decorated by schools and community groups.

All the funds raised will go to Break, which works across Cambridgeshire to make sure care leavers have the lifelong family support they need to enjoy a successful future.

The trail was a partnership between Break, Wild in Art, Cambridge BID and Alan Boswell Group