£163,000 raised for St Elizabeth Hospice in Big Hoot owl statues auction

The 50 sculptures have been on display across Ipswich over the past few months

The grand total raised during the auction was announced last night
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 13th Oct 2022
Last updated 13th Oct 2022

More than £160,000 has been raised for St Elizabeth Hospice, during an auction of 50 owl sculptures which were placed around Ipswich earlier this year.

Each had a unique design, with vistors to the town challenged to see all 50 before they went off public display.

Several dozen smaller owl statues were also given to local businesses and organisations to put on display.

Last night all were sold off to help fund hospice care across the East of England, raising a grand total of £163,590.

It's just the latest animal-based statue trail to be held in Ipswich, after Pigs Gone Wild in 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk in 2019.

A launch event was held at Christchurch Park in the summer, with thousands going on the 'Hoot Hike' to see the scuptures before they disappeared in September.

It's thought previous arts trails brought a £1m boost to the local economy by encouraging more people to visit the town centre.