The long-awaited Paws-itivity auction in aid of Suffolk Libraries has raised around £25,000 with the sale last night of the Library Labradors.
Some of the unique artworks, created by local artists, sold for thousands of pounds at the auction last night (October 12) at Trinity Park, Ipswich.
The evening, compered by Suffolk Libraries patrons Gina Long MBE and former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Lesley Dolphin, saw Disco Dog by Carolyn Ash selling for the biggest total with a price tag of £2,100.
Other big sellers included Sparkles by Carolyn Ash, which sold for £1,100, Yesterdog by Anne-Marie Byrne which sold for £1,500 and La Perrita by Hannah Weeks which sold for £1,600.
The Library Labradors also included dogs inspired by Ed Sheeran, Kate Bush, David Bowie and the Beatles, a puppy wearing an Ipswich Town shirt and dogs painted as leopards, zebras and the dinosaur-themed Jurassic Bark.
Bruce Leeke, Suffolk Libraries CEO thanked all those involved, including Trinity Park and the Suffolk Agricultural Association for hosting, Clarke and Simpson for running the auction and Wyards Removals for helping to move the dog sculptures around.
He said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that PAWS-itivity has been such a big success! We’re so grateful to everyone who bought a sculpture or artwork.
“This is a significant amount of money which will be used to support our services across Suffolk.
"The campaign set out to not only raise money but also to raise awareness of the big impact we have at the heart of Suffolk’s communities.
"We’re continually changing the traditional view of what a library service does.
"Many people don’t realise we’re a charity and aren’t aware of the many highly impactful ways that we nurture literacy, tackle isolation and support wellbeing.
"Every year we reach tens of thousands of people making a real difference to lives across the county."
The Library Labradors have been a feature at most of Suffolk's libraries throughout the summer, bringing a splash of colour and receiving many hugs from local children.
Adnams donated Prosecco and Mark from Bailey’s Photography photographed all the dogs.
BBC Radio Suffolk, the East Anglian Daily Times and EADT Suffolk Magazine also supported the campaign.
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