Bridlington Puffin Auction Raises over £100k for Local Charities

The culmination of East Yorkshire's Puffins Galore! project has produced a £100,000 boost for local charities.

Puffins Galore! had been an 18 month project which saw giant Puffins installed across the East Riding as part of a Puffin trail.

Last month, as the project came to an end the puffins were gathered in Bridlington for a charity auction with the proceeds being donated to local organisations.

Fourteen puffin sculptures were sold in the auction whilst the other 28 were sold to their original sponsors. Together with the profits from merchandise sold during Puffins Galore! the project raised just over £106,000.

The money has been split between

• Hornsea Inshore Rescue,
• RSPB,
• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
• and RNLI

Each received a cheque yesterday for £26,520 from the Directors of Puffins Galore at Hornsea Inshore Rescue’s lifeboat station.

While some of the puffins will now be moving to private gardens and homes, many will return to their previous locations or find new roosts in other public spaces.

Rick Welton and Clare Huby were delighted present the cheques, following 18 months of hard work to engage local organisations to sponsor the artists to decorate the giant puffins, and to gather public support as over 250,000 people travelled from around Yorkshire and the wider UK to complete the marvellous puffin trail.

Clare said:

“We are thrilled to have raised this amount of money. The project was subject to delays and issues beyond our control but we overcame these challenges. We’ve seen so much support from the general public and all of the people who’ve been involved; sponsors, artists and the fabulous Puffins Pals who dedicated time every week to check the puffins for any signs of damage. Finally being able to hand the funds over makes it all worth while.”

Dave O’Hara Senior Site Manager at RSPB Bempton Cliffs said:

“This is really very much appreciated, and the icing on the cake of what has been an inspirational project. We are so pleased that our Puffin remains at the Visitor Centre at Bempton, and would like to thank the sponsor, Jadan Press and now owner for their generosity in letting him (or her??) stay with us on loan.    
 
“Our thanks also go to artist Sarah Dalton for the wonderful artwork on the Bempton Puffin, which captures the theme of ‘The Balance of Threat and Hope’ and looks so stunning.
 
“The £26,520 donation at Bempton will be going towards a range of work improving our access provision, including investment in our trampers that help disabled access, path work and improving fencing and viewing points, helping the reserve be more accessible to all.”

Mike Milner from RNLI Bridlington says:

“We can do many things with this incredible amount of money, for example it costs around £2000 to train a new crew member, and we currently have around 6-7 new crew members all in their probationary training period, we also need to issue them with PPE which costs around £1,600 each..

“As the charity that saves lives at sea, we are totally funded by donations from the public and from terrific projects like Puffins Galore!
 
“The public enjoying the coast, fishing fleets and people enjoying water sports in particular will benefit from this funding, it means we are able to continue our life saving work.
 
“We would like to thank everyone at Puffins Galore for their incredible support, the puffins have been a joy to see around the town and we are delighted so many are still on display. To raise funds of this amount takes a great deal of effort and volunteer manpower, so a big figure like this is truly amazing.”

Sue HIckson-Marsay MBE, Station Manager at Hornsea Inshore Rescue says:

“The funds will go towards two New four stroke engines. This makes a significant difference to our finances, to have been part of this project has also brought us some wonderful publicity and the opportunity to meet some amazing, interesting members of the public from all walks of life.

“As we are an Independent lifeboat it’s not always easy raising funds. Anyone in a lifesaving situation at sea will benefit. Schools, colleges, organisations that visit us will also benefit when they visit for educational talks and sea safety talks.

“We have saved hundreds of lives over the last thirty years and this funding will ensure we can continue saving lives at sea.

“Thank you Puffins Galore and all involved with this amazing project.”

Rachel Bice, Chief Executive Yorkshire Wildlife Trust says:

“We are incredibly grateful for the donations from Puffins Galore. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust cares for over 100 nature reserves stretching to every corner of Yorkshire. On the coast we have a series of important reserves which provide vital spaces for seabirds, at Spurn, Filey and Flamborough, which is where our lovable puffins can create their burrows ready to raise pufflings.

“We are also undertaking a marine programme to restore oysters and sea grass which will restore the important natural systems upon which our seabirds depend. Our Living Seas Centre at South Landing provides educational experiences for children and adults about the coastal and marine environment. This donation will support a range of activities to support our coastal wildlife and help bring the wonders of the sea to young minds and hearts.”

Fourteen puffins went to auction on Saturday 13th May, whilst the others were purchased by their sponsors. Some of which remain on public display - happy puffin spotting!