Held at Graduate Cambridge, the Cambridge Standing Tall auction saw over 140 guests enjoy an evening of ferocious bidding amongst those in the room and online, with all money raised going towards the charity’s work with young care leavers who, at just 18, have to leave the care system often with little or no support. Working across Cambridgeshire, the charity makes sure they have the lifelong family support they need to enjoy a bright and successful future.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with a sparkling drinks reception and gourmet BBQ before heading into the auction and greeted by Dave Webster from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and acclaimed celebrity auctioneer Natasha Raskin-Sharp from BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow.
The bidding kicked off with Growth, decorated in spring blossom by artist Charlie Stafford and sponsored by the University of Cambridge raising an incredible £6000! Twiga, which is Swahili for giraffe, a Mini G by Phil Daniel features a stunning African sunset with detailed animal silhouette was brought for an amazing £4000. The highest bid of the evening was for Iggles and Jiggles, a giant giraffe puzzle with an adorable baby giraffe peeping out, by Rachael Butler which sold for £6600.
Cambridge resident Michael brought two sculptures, a large giraffe and a Mini G: “I’ve never brought a sculpture before and we’re here for my partners birthday! I’m looking forward to finding a place for them both in our home and it’s all for a really fantastic cause.”
Delivered by Break in partnership with Wild in Art, Cambridge BID and Alan Boswell Group, the trail took place for ten weeks from 21 March to the 2nd June with 31 beautifully decorated giraffe sculptures across the city, all sponsored by a local business and designed by an established national or regional artist. Alongside them were over 60 Mini Gs, each created by local schools and community groups as part of the trails Learning and Community programme, designed to spark young people’s creativity which have been returned to them as a momento of the trail.
“It was an absolutely fantastic evening, and it was amazing to see so many people be so generous,” comments Break Partnership Manager Eleanor Edge who was part of the Cambridge Standing Tall project team. “We’re so grateful to everyone who dug deep and helped us raise such a phenomenal amount which will enable us to give young people the support they need when they leave care. We’d like to thank everyone who played a part in making the evening a success including auction sponsors Graduate Cambridge and Alan Boswell Group, our auctioneer Natasha Raskin Sharp, and of course trail partners Wild in Art and Cambridge BID; our talented artists and sponsors, without whom the trail would not have been possible."
