UNIQUE ARTWORK GOES UNDER THE HAMMER FOR JULIA’S HOUSE

With thousands of visitors since it launched on 5 April, The Great Tail Trail has been a huge splash in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), just as the sun came out! And now you have a chance to own your very own tail, with the giant mermaid tails available to the highest bidder as The Great Tail Trail Grand Auction goes live, with all proceeds going to support Julia’s House children’s hospice and its vital care for local families and children.

Bid in person…
More than 40 of the uniquely designed mermaid tails will go under the hammer at a Grand Auction at The Italian Villa, Compton Acres on 20 June, with professional auctioneer, Charlie Ross coordinating the bidding. Tickets are limited and need to be booked in advance. So why not join Charlie on the night and bid for your favourite mermaid tail – you could be taking home a one-off piece of artwork created by one of the trail’s acclaimed artists as well as a wonderful legacy of the trail.

Set to be a truly memorable event, the Grand Auction evening begins with a barbeque and welcome drinks set against the beautiful backdrop of Compton Acres gardens before the excitement starts and bidding gets underway.

To dive in and register your interest in the auction, visit juliashouse.org/tail-trail/events /great-tail-trail-auction

Place your bids online now
If you can’t attend in person, Julia’s House has ensured you can still join in the auction excitement from the comfort of your sofa, with live streaming and online bidding. You can place your bid right now as the online auction has just gone live! Go to https://gtt.wildinartauctions.com/

All funds raised at auction will help Julia’s House continue its lifeline of care for seriously ill children across Dorset and bring comfort and support to their families.
“Funding couldn’t be more vital,” say Julia’s House Public Fundraising manager, Laura Maidment. “The money raised at the Grand Auction will be so important in securing the future of our vital care in BCP. That will be such a wonderful part of the bidders’ legacy too. They’re not just buying an amazing piece of art they are helping local children and families.”

Stunning artwork by acclaimed artists
Artists who have contributed work to the trail include internationally renowned contemporary artist, Stuart Semple, Tech Moon (Krishna Malla – who has recently completed the stunning mural in the underpass linking Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre with Lighthouse), Lucan Art (Miroslav Lucan), Lauren Marina, Kizzi Bennett and Double Olympian marathon runner, Commonwealth medallist and Julia’s House patron, Liz Yelling.

Laura adds: “We’re so excited to see the mermaid tails go under the hammer and find their forever homes! The tails would look great in a garden, at your place of work or even as a statement piece of art in your home. There has been a lot of interest in the designs and we’re expecting the atmosphere in the auction room to be mer-mazing. But if you can’t be there in person, the online auction means you can join the excitement and bid from wherever you are! Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in bidding, either online or in person at the auction we encourage you to go to our website and register your interest or put in your online bid quickly!”

As Dorset’s local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House receives just eight per cent ongoing funding from the Government and relies on public support and donations to provide its critical care to the most seriously ill children in the local community. Its costs are increasing along with the demand for its care, due to more children being born and living longer with rare and complex medical conditions. Each year Julia’s House needs to raise more money to ensure it can be there for every family that needs its support, and The Great Tail Trail is a vital community fundraising project for the charity.