Gromit auction raises £2m for children's hospital

The auction set the record for the most money raised from a single event by The Grand Appeal

A collection of 53 sculptures of Gromit has raised more than £2m to help sick children and babies.

The Grand Appeal's charity auction of Gromit Unleashed 3 statues on Thursday raised funds for Bristol Children's Hospital and the neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael's Hospital, in Bristol.

The sculptures featured in a summer trail across the city and were decorated by artists and celebrities, including one signed by Beatles musician Paul McCartney.

In a statement, the charity said: "From everyone at The Grand Appeal, thank you for making this unforgettable summer of sculpture spotting truly life-changing."

The collection included the sculptures from the third Gromit Unleashed trail as well as the Gromit Unleashed Miniature Collection.

The trail had raked in £408,000 with the auction taking the total to £2m.

The charity said bidders joined from across the UK and around the world, underlining the global appeal of the collection

Bidders from around the world were offered to chance own a piece of Bristol's cultural history - from 1.5 metre (5ft) tall Gromits to Wallace-adorned benches and Norbot and Feathers McGraws statues.

Among the highlights were Darth McGraw, Bobby Dazzler, and a framed painting of 'Feathers with the Pearl Earring', which sold for £70,000, £65,000, and £60,000 respectively.

Charity co-founder Nicola Masters said the team was in "shock and amazement" each time the hammer went down.

"We seem to go from strength to strength with Aardman, and we are so proud and humbled to be its charity partner."

A framed painting of Feathers McGraws with a pearl earring - a parody of the Vermeer's oil painting - sold for £60,000

Other notable pieces include the Yellow Submarine, Gromit Woody in collaboration with Pixar, Love Actually in partnership with screenwriter Richard Curtis, Poppy in collaboration with DreamWorks, and Big Friendly Wallace inspired by Roald Dahl's Big Friendly Giant.

To complete the line-up, an authenticated print of Banksy's Toxic Mary, gifted to the charity by a long-term benefactor, raised £19,000.

Helena Newman, chairman of Sotheby's Europe auction house, said it was "an honour" to host the auction which "brought together the creative genius of some of the most iconic names in art, film, music and literature, in partnership with Aardman".

"Every sculpture was a work of love and imagination, created with the purpose of helping The Grand Appeal in its vital mission," she added.

The Yellow Submarine Gromit is signed by Beatles singer Paul McCartney

The Grand Appeal and Aardman's partnership has generated more than £90m since it was first established in 1995.

Giles Haythornthwaite, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine, said the money makes the difference between "being a good children's hospital and a great children's hospital".

"It helps us support families on their whole pathway through the hospital with the environment, the equipment and making them more comfortable at a time that's difficult for them," he said.