Over three hundred people gathered at the Hilton Brighton Metropole (December 3) to see all fifty unique Snailspace sculptures go under the hammer and slide away to their forever homes.
AMONGST the guests assembled in the Oxford Suite were Snailspace sponsors, artists, and volunteers, alongside some of Brighton’s well-known faces and dignitaries including The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Dee Simson and superstar DJ Norman Cook aka Fat Boy Slim.
Online bidders and guests in the room, bid a total of £230.000 for the snails with profits from these bids (after expenses and royalties are subtracted) will go to Martlets to support their ongoing fundraising for life changing care for terminally ill people in Brighton and Hove.
Danni Smith’s beautiful snail depicting bee friendly flowers, To Everything There is a Season sold for highest amount at £12,800. Fiona Blair’s Hokusai sold for £12,000, Natalie Guy’s Disco Snail went for £10,300 and Fatboy’s Fast Forward The Mixtape Snail sold for £7,000.
Imelda Glackin, CEO Martlets said: “We are delighted with how much has been raised by auction, especially in these difficult economic times. Our giant gastropods have generated significant awareness of the work that Martlets does for families everyday in this city and this campaign has been about so much more than just the money raised at this stage. Our #BeMoreSnail campaign, featuring our beautifully painted snails, has been a constant reminder to take a moment and enjoy the time we have with the people we share our lives with. As well as giving something back to our city, which we rely on to help fund our vital, life-changing care, it has also been a way for us to engage people, of all ages and from all walks of life, with our key philosophy of living as well as you can with whatever time you have left.
“The campaign has also been a huge success in terms of the ongoing relationships it has created with organisations across this city, from the business community to schools, youth groups and other charities. It has opened doors for us and will create many long-term relationships that we can build on for future fundraising and supporter campaigns.
“All proceeds from our auction, alongside all of the other fundraising elements of the campaign, will enable Martlets to continue providing life-changing hospice care for local people affected by terminal illness.
“It is also wonderful to know that the legacy of these snails will live on and give pleasure to their buyers for years to come.”
Full details of the Snailspace event statistics and money raised will be issued in January once all elements of the campaign have been evaluated. The auction was conducted by Mark Stacey.
Photos by Simon Dack and Liz Finlayson
