Lucky bidders dug deep netting themselves a frog for life and over £35,000 for St Ann's Hospice.
Gigantic frogs from this summer's art trail took a final leap into Edgeley Park where 21 huge colourful frogs from Stockport's Gigantic Leap frog art trail and seven of their One Stockport frog buddies hopped off to pastures and ponds new. Artists, sponsors, partners, guests, and excited bidders joined the Totally Stockport team as all 28 frogs went under the hammer at Stockport County's Edgeley Park. Simon Charles Auctioneer's Ed Railton's gavel just avoided going into extra time after a hard fought 90 minutes saw 28 lucky bidders net their very own frog, some even scoring a hat-trick!
Topping the bidding was Rocky Stocky whose Stockport connections was music to the auctioneer's gavel that came down at £3,200!
Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive of St Ann's hospice was at the auction and saw for herself how popular the frogs were as they gathered in Stockport County's 1883 suite:
"We are thrilled and grateful to have been selected by Totally Stockport as the frog auction's chosen charity partner, especially in this, our 50th birthday year. The frog trail has been amazing and brought a real burst of colour and sense of community to Stockport throughout the summer. It's sad to see them go but to have raised £35,000 for the hospice is fantastic.
"The support from our local community and businesses has a huge impact at the hospice. As a charity, we need to raise £20,000 a day to keep our hospice sites and community services running for local patients. We are so grateful to all the winning bidders who dug deep and whose generosity really does make a big difference."
Dr Frog opened the bidding and bagged a healthy £900 while Stockport Spiderfrog's web caught £1,150; Philbert and Sprout & Mondi netted £600 each while Mossy made £2,250!
Usually in a Big Top, Phineas drew in the crowds eventually making £820 while Froginson hopped off for £690.
Yves St Le Frog went to an online bidder for £540, Frocket roared away for £720, Shine will keep on delighting Girl Guides in Stockport and Glow will keep a light on in Brinnington. Frogtendo is set to keep gaming, Frog with a view will keep daydreaming, Forest will sit among nature and Florence will take care of her new owners each raising £950 for St Ann's.
£940 will keep Count Frogula in the dark unlike Sunshine and Sir Sprinkles who for £800 each are guaranteed to keep summer alive throughout the year!
Tipping over the £1,000 mark were Froguristic (£1,040), Frogwain (£1,260) Isafrog Kingdom Brunel (£1,300), Tudor frog (£1,100) and River Frog (£1,500).
Hippie, Joy and Gulp Oil Racing all made it over the £2,000 line while Stockport County donated a very generous £3,000 to keep Super Kevin Frogcis at Edgeley Park.
A huge thank you to Simon Charles Auctioneers who provided their services for free and to everyone who helped to make the Stockport frogs a big success, for everyone.