On 3rd October 2024, 31 large castles from the Wales Air Ambulance ‘Castles in the Sky’ trail will go up for auction with all proceeds going towards the charity’s fundraising efforts.
The art trail, delivered in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, has been brightening Swansea’s city centre and surrounding areas throughout the summer and early September. Each striking castle design has been sponsored by a business and created by an artist, with the unique designs taking inspiration from Welsh culture, history, landscape and art.
The jewel in the auction’s crown is set to be A Tribute to Dr Who, designed by renowned portrait artist Nathan Wyburn. Featuring portraits of current Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and showrunner Russell T. Davies, the castle sculpture has been drawing attention from Dr Who fans across the country and beyond. Due to its popularity, a mini replica has also been created and is being raffled off on 29th September. Raffle tickets cost £5 and are available here.
Businesses and individuals will have the chance to take home the full-sized sculpture of A Tribute to Dr Who, and any of the other incredible 7ft castle sculptures, at the auction event on 3rdOctober.
Taking place at Swansea’s Delta by Marriott hotel and livestreamed online, the auction will encourage bidders to go head-to-head for their chance to win their favourite design ¾ all to raise vital funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
Mark Stevens, Head of Fundraising and High Value Partnership for Wales Air Ambulance, said: “Seeing visitors and locals interact with the castles and walking the length of the trail has been an utter joy. 4,480 miles have been walked since the trail launched in July, and nearly 10 million steps have been taken across Swansea to visit these unique sculptures.
“We hope people will enjoy getting out and about to visit their favourite castles before the trail ends on 15th September, especially the ever-popular Tribute to Dr Who which is at Swansea’s train station. We hope our castles will help to raise vital funds at the auction, to which we are so looking forward. Businesses, community groups, and individuals will all be welcome to join us for what promises to be an exciting auction event, whether joining in person and online.
“All funds raised from the auction, raffle ticket sales, and ad-hoc donations made along the trail will go towards keeping the air ambulance in the sky. Wales Air Ambulance delivers lifesaving, advanced medical care to people across Wales 24/7, and have attended over 50,000 missions since we opened on 1 March 2001.
“The air ambulance relies entirely on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million every year. We can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident. Our medical crews across the country are proud to serve the people of Wales wherever and whenever they need us: all funds raised will support us to continue this work.”
To register interest for the auction, visit https://swanseacastles.co.uk/auction/
The 10-week art trail is being delivered in partnership with creative producers, Wild in Art, and is supported by Principal Partner, Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), along with Printing Partner, BDP Wales and Logistics Partner, Owens Group.
