Bristol gorilla auction raises tens of thousands of pounds for local charity

The Bristol Zoo Gorillas which adorned parts of Redland this summer have helped raise almost half a million pounds for charity.

You couldn't fail to notice the bright yellow Pudsey bear gorilla outside the BBC on Whiteladies Road, or the blue and white Bristol Rovers gorilla at the Zetland Road/Gloucester Road cross roads. Then there was the little fella in the Clifton Down Shopping centre, decorated by children at Colston's School in Redland. They also had a large one in the centre too.

The auction, which took place at Bristol Zoo Gardens last night and was aired live on their website, raised £427,300 for gorilla conservation work and the Redland-based Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal. Gorisambard - a gorilla modelled on Isambard Kingdom Brunel - was the highest selling statue, going for £23,000 to Nick Baker who bought it for his wife.

Director of Bristol Zoo Dr Bryan Carroll said: "We never could have predicted how successful Wow! Gorillas has been and the total raised at the auction has further demonstrated that. We are absolutely delighted and thankful for everyone's generosity."

Wow! Gorillas has brought the arts and business communities together for the benefit of the city, showcasing the creative genius that has given Bristol its unique and vibrant culture. Artists decorated life-size gorillas, sponsored by local businesses which were then placed around the city for 10 weeks between 6 July and 6 September. 20 lucky gorillas then visited London for a few days between 16-22 September. The gorillas then appeared at the Zoo to between 24-28 September at our Goodbye Gorillas event.

The small gorillas, which numbered over 100, have been returned to the schools and nurseries which sponsored them...much to the pleasure of the kids and staff. To see a gallery of the Redland ones, click HERE.

Like the King Bladuud pigs in Bath a couple of years ago, this has not only raised a lot of money for charity but it's brightened up the city, brought in a lot of visitors and been a real talking point. More like this please...