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03 November 2015

Anonymous buyer donates ‘Shaun in the City’ sculpture to Bristol Children’s Hospital

One of the successful bidders at The Grand Appeal's 'Shaun in the City' auction has donated his sculpture to The Grand Appeal for display at Bristol Children's Hospital.

The buyer, who has decided to remain anonymous, paid £7,000 for the sculpture called 'Maisy and Friends'. The sculpture, by much-loved children's author Lucy Cousins, was located outside Bristol Children's Hospital during the trail and has now been installed back in the same spot, where it will remain on permanent display.

70 individually-designed sculptures, including 'Maisy and Friends', were installed all across Bristol for eight weeks this summer as part of the 'Shaun in the City' trail, from The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to the city to spot them all and all 25,000 tickets for the subsequent 'Great Sheep Round Up' exhibition sold out in just a few days.

The sculptures were auctioned in October alongside 50 different designs from the trail that took place in London, raising more than £1million. All funds raised by the proceeds of the Bristol trail sculptures will benefit The Grand Appeal. The funds raised by the 50 London sculptures will benefit Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity, which supports children in hospitals across the UK.

'Maisy and Friends' is the second sculpture from one of The Grand Appeal's trail to find a new home at the hospital. 'Stat's The Way To Do It' Gromit, from the charity's award-winning 'Gromit Unleashed' trail was installed on long-term loan two years ago.

Nicola Masters, director, The Grand Appeal, said, "'Maisy and Friends' was always a very special Shaun on the trail, reminding Shaun-spotters exactly what the project was all in aid of. It also allowed sick children being treated at the hospital to feel a part of the trail, even if they weren't able to get out and about to visit all 70 sculptures.

"On behalf of everyone at the charity we would like to say a huge thank you to the anonymous donor for their incredible generosity in donating 'Maisy and Friends' back to the charity, to go on permanent display outside the Children's Hospital. This kind donation is a wonderful reminder of the joy that 'Shaun in the City' brought to Bristol this summer, as well as the way the funds raised will help to brighten the lives of the hospital's young patients, and their families."

Maisie and Friends

Caitlin Marnell, general manager at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, said, "We are delighted that 'Maisy and Friends' has made its way back to the Children's Hospital. We can't thank the anonymous donor enough for their generosity and kind gift. The 'Shaun in the City' trail was a huge success and provided great entertainment for patients, staff and visitors at Bristol Children's Hospital. Patient also had the opportunity to decorate two mini Shauns which were also included in the auction in October.

"By having 'Maisy and Friends' so close by The Grand Appeal ensured our patients got the full 'Shaun in the City' experience. The funds raised by The Grand Appeal  are always hugely appreciated by the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, enabling us to change sick children's lives for the better."


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