Ashford Snowdogs auction raises £142,000 for local charity

The popular Snowdogs Discover Ashford trail ended on a high note this Monday evening (December 3), when a grand total of £142,000 was raised in aid of Pilgrims Hospices at the Gala Auction. The money will provide vital funding for the local charity and contribute to the wonderful work they do in the Kent community.

Ashford Borough Council won three of the much-loved Snowdogs. Successful bids were placed on Made in Ash-Hound by artist Danielle Williamson, Harey Hound by Traci Moss and Vincent van Pooch by Beverley Fisher – two of which were sponsored by the Council during the 10 week public art trail.

The Ashford Snowdogs Arts Trail ran between September and November this year, and saw 35 giant Snowdog sculptures and three packs of Snowpups placed in key locations around the borough. Ashford Borough Council worked in partnership with Wild in Art and Pilgrims Hospices to deliver the trail, which saw participants spend over 17,000 hours hunting for Snowdogs, with over 1,000 miles and 2.3 million steps walked.

In winning the Snowdog trio, Ashford Borough Council will be returning them to the community to be enjoyed by the people of Ashford and beyond for years to come.

Plans are now being drawn up for the future of all three Snowdogs, but going forward it is likely they will be used in promotions across the calendar year throughout the borough – making appearances at opening ceremonies and launches, visiting schools and being available to the public for events such as Create Festival - giving the local community plenty of opportunities to enjoy a little piece of the Snowdog magic on a regular basis.

The trail garnered huge support from the local community, with residents of Ashford and tourists from beyond (some travelling from as far as Wales) truly embracing the magic of the Snowdogs.

The positive impact of the trail was felt far and wide, and commentary was given on a daily basis in support of the Snowdogs, with the overwhelming feedback being that people in the town wanted them to become a permanent fixture – a message that was still being received loud and clear at the official Farewell Weekend on December 1 and 2; two weeks after the end of the trail.

Such was the popularity of the trail that a financial contribution was made to the council from a member of the community in order for one of the Snowdogs to be bought at auction and retained in the borough.