In a further twist – and as a nod to St Oswald’s 2016 Great North Snowdogs trail - a little Snowdog sculpture decorated in Elmer’s famous patchwork colours was successfully sold for £3,700 to a bidder who had travelled from her home at Richmond, North Yorkshire for the event. Pupils at Hunswick School, Durham, will now receive a free delivery of books, after Elmer publisher Andersen Press agreed to donate books to 10 per cent of the sale price to her chosen school.
Jane Hogan, Elmer’s Great North Parade Project Lead, said:
"The tension, the excitement, the sheer joy in the room as each elephant found its forever home, was just incredible. We didn’t imagine the total would be so high and we are incredibly grateful to Julian and Fred for their expertise and for making the auction such fun and to all those who came along, who placed bids and who helped make the event such a success. Their generosity will help us enrich the lives not only of children with complex, life-limiting conditions in our care, but also their siblings and parents, so, thank you - very much indeed."