The wait is over. On Thursday 2 October, the much-loved Gromit Unleashed 3 sculptures will go under the hammer in a spectacular charity auction at the Gromit Unleashed Pavillion, Cribbs Mall, Bristol.
Presiding over the bidding will be esteemed auctioneer, Helena Newman, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, who will bring world-class expertise to what promises to be a landmark fundraising event. The charity auction will raise money for The Grand Appeal, supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.
Over 50 unique sculptures, including all the stars of this summer’s trail plus the Gromit Unleashed Miniature Collection will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. From five-foot-tall Gromits to Wallace-adorned benches, a dazzling array of Norbots and Feathers McGraws - and even a framed painting of ‘Feathers with the Pearl Earring.’ The auction offers a rare and unique chance to take home a piece of Bristol’s cultural history, while helping sick children and babies.
Stars from the Gromit Unleashed 3 cast include Yellow Submarine, in collaboration with Paul McCartney, Gromit Woody, in collaboration with Pixar; Netflix’s Wednesday; Love, Actually in partnership with Richard Curtis; Darth McGraw in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Poppy in collaboration with DreamWorks, Starcatcher by Oliver Jeffers, El Plumas by Jorge R. Guitiérrez and Big Friendly Wallace inspired by Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant.
To complete the auction line-up, in true Bristol fashion, a new addition to the auction programme is an authenticated print of Banksy’s Toxic Mary, which has been gifted to the charity by a long-term benefactor.
Funds raised from Gromit Unleashed 3 will support The Grand Appeal’s ongoing work at Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital, including the building of the UK’s first dedicated Patient Hotel, arts, music and play programmes, pioneering equipment, life-saving research and accommodation for families in need during their darkest days.
Nicola Masters, director, The Grand Appeal commented: “This is the moment when Aardman’s beloved sculptures of Wallace, Gromit, Feather McGraw and Norbot are auctioned to help to save lives and support sick children and babies by supporting The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported Gromit Unleashed 3 to date, whether by entering the Treasured Island raffle, buying trail souvenirs, downloading the dedicated app, participating in Hot Dog Dash or sponsoring a sculpture.
“Now it’s time to wave goodbye to our incredible cast, as we invite bidders to take home their own sculpture on auction night by coming forward now and registering to bid on Thursday 2 October.”
On the night, the auction is open to serious bidders only, but fans and supporters don’t need to miss out. The auction will also be live streamed to enable fans to watch from home. For interested bidders, to register to attend the auction or bid online please complete the form on The Grand Appeal website grandappeal.org.uk/auction.
Helena Newman, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, commented: “I’m honoured to host this truly extraordinary auction bringing together the creative genius of some of the most iconic names in art, film music and literature who, in partnership with Aardman, have created something truly unique.
“From sculpture designs inspired by characters from Pixar’s Toy Story, the works of Roald Dahl and Lucasfilm to Paul McCartney and Richard Curtis, this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime collection, where these beloved Aardman characters are reimagined. Every sculpture has been purposefully created with the intention of supporting The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital, during the charity’s 30th anniversary year, making this auction a landmark event in support of sick children and babies.”
For those still wanting one last look before the auction, The Greatest Dog Show on Earth brings together all 54 sculptures under one roof at Cribbs Mall until 28 September, the first and only time the full collection are on show together. Tickets for the exhibition are available to buy at grandappeal.org.uk/exhibition.
Gromiteers can also enter the raffle to win Treasured Island for just £5, one of the 2025 sculptures, while a new range of Gromit Unleashed 3 souvenirs is available to buy in our store at Cribbs Mall and online
This year, The Grand Appeal and Aardman celebrate a 30-year partnership of Wallace & Gromit spearheading the charity’s fundraising. The partnership was first conceived in 1995 to help raise money to build the Bristol Children’s Hospital on Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol. Since then, The Grand Appeal has generated £90 million for Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward at St Michael’s Hospital.
To keep up to date with the latest news from The Grand Appeal and Gromit Unleashed 3, visit www.gromitunleashed.org.ukand follow @TheGrandAppeal across Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube and @GromitUnleashed on Facebook and X.
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