Art enthusiasts and collectors will have the opportunity to bid on colorful rat sculptures that have captivated visitors across Hull and East Yorkshire since May. The highly successful "A Mischief of Rats" charity auction is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at the Princes Quay event space, marking an exciting conclusion to the popular giant sculpture trail.
Out of 45 towering rat sculptures displayed throughout the county, 21 will go under the hammer for eager bidders, while the remaining pieces have already been purchased by generous sponsors. This strong sponsorship backing has provided a solid foundation for the fundraising initiative's success.
The sculpture trail has attracted an impressive crowd of over 230,000 visitors during the summer holidays, drawing local families, art lovers, and tourists who have enjoyed discovering the striking and whimsical rat sculptures. The trail officially closes on August 31, after which the sculptures will be carefully collected and transported to the artist's studio in preparation for the upcoming auction.
Among the standout pieces is "Copper Colin," created by artist Amy Bourbon and sponsored by Neill and Brown Logistics, who also played a crucial role in delivering and installing the sculptures at the trail's launch. Another highlight is "Moonage Daydream," a vibrant tribute to the musical career of legendary Hull musician Mick Ronson, whose first Hull band was called The Rats.
Maggi Ronson, Mick's sister, has closely followed the project from the beginning and has given it her family's blessing. She also collaborated as co-artist with Andy Pea and Nadine Balmer on the "ReNews" rat sculpture titled "Believe in People." "I've loved the trail of rats," Maggi said. "It's been wonderful seeing so many people and families enjoying the amazing designs and getting to know more about my brother Mick Ronson and his musical genius. It's been a great tribute to him, to the original Rats and to the Spiders from Mars. Now we just need a massive bidding war to raise funds for the Daisy Appeal."
This inspiring project raises vital funds for the Daisy Appeal, a local charity focused on the early detection of diseases, reinforcing the community spirit behind the trail. Rick Welton, co-director of A Mischief of Rats and someone who worked alongside Mick Ronson at East Park festivals in the late 1960s, described the project as both a personal passion and a fitting tribute to Ronson's legacy and his battle with cancer.
"We're optimistic about raising a significant amount with 21 rats going under the hammer, and we're incredibly grateful to the sponsors who have already purchased sculptures, providing a strong foundation and building momentum for a successful auction," Welton explained. Clare Huby, co-director, expressed her excitement about the upcoming auction, saying, "It's always an exhilarating day, and we eagerly anticipate the funds we can raise. People have told us how much they've loved visiting the rats and can't wait to see them find homes with their new owners."
Beyond fundraising, the sculpture trail has had a positive impact on local tourism and community spaces. According to the organizers, the project aims not only to raise money for charities but also to help people discover places they wouldn't visit otherwise. Feedback from trail locations has shown a noticeable increase in visitor numbers, especially at local libraries hosting sculptures, providing a welcome boost to community spaces.
Chris Wathen, a visitor from Gloucestershire who explored the region from May to July, shared his experience: "Following the rat trail on foot around Hull was very interesting. We drove to visit the rats that were in outlying areas and it took us to areas that we had not been to before. We finally visited Beverley and completed the trail on foot." He particularly enjoyed rats that combined beautiful illustrations with artwork giving each sculpture a quirky character, such as "Rats Ahoy," "A Stroll around Hull," and "Doodles of Rats," while selecting "Moonage Daydream," housed inside Ings Library, as his favorite.
The success of this project builds upon the achievements of "Puffins Galore!", a previous sculpture trail initiative that raised over $130,000 to support four charities focusing on conservation and lifesaving services. This demonstrates the community's enthusiasm for art-based charitable fundraising events.
On auction day, viewing will begin at 11:00 AM, with bidding scheduled to start at noon. Volunteers from Hull and East Yorkshire will be present at the auction to guide attendees and raise further awareness of the cause, ensuring both seasoned collectors and first-time bidders feel welcome to participate in this charitable event.
